Establishment Dems Get Behind El-Sayed After Supporting AIPAC-Backed Opponent

Establishment Senate Democrats who backed Rep. Haley Stevens, a largely AIPAC-funded moderate, in the party's primary race for Michigan Senate are now getting behind opponent Abdul El-Sayed after the progressive's close win that pro-Palestinian groups say is a rebuke of the Israeli lobby in U.S. politics.

El-Sayed "has run an energetic campaign that inspired thousands of Michiganders across the state, with a clear focus on lowering costs and standing up for working families," a statement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday.

"Democrats are united by a common purpose: putting a check on Donald Trump by defeating his Republican enablers and taking back the Senate." "We look forward to working with Abdul and Democrats across Michigan to win this seat in November."

Both candidates have a history of backing candidates largely funded by the Israeli lobby, with Stevens having taken more than $30 million from AIPAC in the race. An AP/NORC poll found about half of Democratic voters believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, while an IMEU Policy Project/Data for Progress poll found that 73% of Michigan Democrats believe the U.S. should restrict weapons to Israel.

"That record-high sum wasn't enough because Democratic voters have had it with the fringe and extremist view that our tax dollars should pay for Israel's bombs, wars and genocidal ambitions," the IMEU Policy Project said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that "potential 2028 contenders should take notes."