El-Sayed Faces Backlash as Michigan Senate Race Divides Jewish Voters
Some prominent Jewish Democrats in Michigan are backing Republican Mike Rogers over their own party’s Senate nominee. But the reaction to Abdul El-Sayed’s recent outreach efforts has turned into a firestorm of accusations.
El-Sayed released a video on social media showing himself spending Rosh Hashanah with two Jewish women. Critics immediately pounced on the clip. They noted the women’s pro-Palestinian activism. They also pointed out their apparent unfamiliarity with the Hebrew prayers shown. Democrat state Rep. Noah Arbit, who represents West Bloomfield, wrote online, “Man I really hate tokenism.”
Rabbi Jonathan Greenberg offered a sharp take on the video’s true purpose. “This isn’t designed to appeal to the Jewish community,” he wrote. Any non-Jews concerned about his bigotry who won’t immediately be suspicious are the target. Despite the criticism, the video generated thousands of interactions on X and TikTok.
Michigan GOP Chairman Jim Runestad told Fox News Digital that he sees a major shift coming. “The big issue is Democratic donors who are Jewish, and what we’re hearing most of the angst is about from them, is El-Sayed,” he stated. Runestad believes the candidate’s past comments are causing real fear.
“His off-the-charts comments and his associations are actually striking fear into the Jewish community here in the state of Michigan,” Runestad said. Roughly 500 Jewish Democrats and independents signed an open letter backing Rogers. They called him a “friend to the Jewish community.” The letter warned that an El-Sayed win could let “far-left and anti-Jewish elements” take over the party. Runestad added that this support is specific to “this year and in this Senate race.”
Breitbart News reported that El-Sayed has made other controversial remarks in the past. In a May 12, 2020 podcast episode, he referred to illegal immigrants as “undocumented Americans.” He also called them “our undocumented sisters and brothers.” During that same broadcast, he accused President Donald Trump of having “weaponized immigration for his political purposes.”
El-Sayed later told podcaster Evan James that he wants to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “It seems to me that the middle position is like, this shouldn’t exist,” he said. He argued the agency exists to “end or at least push back against the rule of law.” On Monday’s CNN broadcast, El-Sayed tried to move past the controversy involving streamer Hasan Piker. He called Piker’s comments about 9/11 “a dumb comment.” He insisted the focus should be on gas prices and groceries for Michiganders.
The Rogers campaign claims their outreach is working, but the opposition says the damage is done. A source within the campaign told Fox News their inboxes are “constantly” filled with positive messages. Yet the open letter from 500 voters suggests a deep divide remains.