Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers' campaign has urged the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) not to run advertisements against Democratic rival Abdul El-Sayed, according to an Axios report on Saturday. AIPAC and its affiliated political action committees are influential players in congressional and statewide races, spending millions of dollars to support candidates, while drawing criticism from some Democrats and progressive candidates. Democratic primary voters this cycle have defied one of Washington's most influential political organizations in several primary races, delivering a series of victories to candidates running against rivals backed by AIPAC and its affiliated organizations, as was the case in Michigan’s Democratic primary.
El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat who has been critical of Israel's handling of the war in Gaza, won the primary against Representative Haley Stevens earlier this month, in a race that saw around $30 million from AIPAC and affiliated groups such as United Democracy Project (UDP). Rogers, a strong supporter of Israel and who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, will face El-Sayed in November in a closely watched race that could help determine control of the Senate. Newsweek has reached out to AIPAC and both Rogers’ and El-Sayed’s campaigns for comment via email on Saturday.
Rogers' campaign urged AIPAC not to intervene in the race on his behalf, Axios reported. The outlet said Rogers spoke with AIPAC chair Michael Tuchin last week, shortly after which the organization decided not to move forward with a prepared advertisement targeting El-Sayed. The move reportedly angered AIPAC officials, who said they were prepared to spend millions more in the race to ensure El-Sayed is not elected.
The decision highlights the political sensitivities surrounding AIPAC's involvement in political races, even as the group and its affiliated organizations continue to spend heavily on behalf of favored candidates. Rogers, a former congressman, has been a strong supporter of Israel, making his reported decision to push away direct AIPAC support notable. In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, UDP had spent nearly $15 million, with roughly two-thirds of the money backing Stevens and the remainder aimed at defeating El-Sayed.
Rogers’ team believes that the AIPAC-backed ads against El-Sayed backfired in the primary, per Axios. El-Sayed has described Israel’s military actions in Gaza as genocide, allegations Israel has repeatedly denied. He has also called for the end of unconditional U.S. military aid to the country.
El-Sayed has criticized AIPAC's political spending and has campaigned on rejecting corporate PAC money. After his primary win, El-Sayed addressed accusations of antisemitism, saying in part, "To my Jewish American sisters and brothers ... I want you to know that my commitment to your safety, my commitment to Jewish safety, is the same commitment that I have to the safety of my own daughters." The outlet reported that talks between Rogers and AIPAC have since halted.
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