Politics
Michigan Democrats face internal divisions over Israel and online commentator after Senate primary
Several prominent Democratic leaders are withholding endorsements from nominee Abdul El-Sayed as the party seeks to unify ahead of the November election.
The short version
- Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, but several party figures are withholding their support over his rhetoric on Israel and past appearances with online streamer Hasan Piker.
- Piker drew sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers for statements regarding American Jews and Israel, which critics labeled antisemitic, though Piker rejected that interpretation.
- Other prominent Democrats, including Rep. Debbie Dingell and Rep. Jamie Raskin, have endorsed El-Sayed and urged the party to focus on the general election against Republican Mike Rogers.
- Michigan Democrats are gathering for a state convention in Lansing to finalize their November ticket, with party leadership warning against disruptive behavior.
Key facts
- Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary over U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens.[Associated Press]
- U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, state Rep. Jeremy Moss, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, and New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer have withheld support for El-Sayed.[Associated Press]
- Streamer Hasan Piker faced backlash from Democrats after stating that American Jews who depict Jewish people as singularly invested in Israel risk inviting action against American Jews.[Associated Press]
- El-Sayed stated that nobody speaks for his campaign except himself and his spokesperson, while refusing to completely cut ties with Piker.[Associated Press]
- Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Jamie Raskin, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II have rallied behind El-Sayed and joined him at campaign events.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It is unknown whether the Democrats currently withholding their backing will eventually endorse El-Sayed before the general election.[Associated Press]