In the Mike Rogers vs. Abdul El-Sayed Michigan Senate race, will anyone take AIPAC’s money?
In the weeks since progressive Israel critic Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic primary in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, many Jewish and pro-Israel constituencies in the state and beyond are lining up — sometimes reluctantly —…
Assessment
The unusual dynamic here is that a Republican candidate is actively distancing himself from AIPAC's direct spending, fearing it could be used against him. This suggests the pro-Israel lobby's involvement has become a political liability in certain races, not an asset. The question is whether El-Sayed's criticism of Israel will be enough to rally reluctant Jewish and pro-Israel voters to Rogers despite his own awkwardness with their support. Watch how AIPAC responds and whether other donors fill the gap.