# Michigan Senate race political tensions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/michigan-senate-race-political-tensions > Updated: 2026-09-03T14:15:45.000Z. Sources: 45. Developments: 5. In the Michigan Senate race, Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed has faced criticism regarding his stance on Israel and his relationship with the Jewish community. Following his primary victory, El-Sayed attempted to separate Judaism from the state of Israel, stating, “AIPAC and Israel are not the same as Judaism and the Jewish people.” However, critics have cited his past responses to antisemitic incidents—including a remark that “hurt people hurt people” regarding an attack on a Michigan synagogue—and his refusal to state whether Israel should exist. El-Sayed has recently apologized to the Michigan Jewish Democratic Caucus for comments made following a March attack on Temple Israel in a Detroit suburb. Critics had previously interpreted his attempts to provide context via references to Israel’s military actions as a justification for the violence. Additionally, his campaign is navigating scrutiny over past social media posts and his association with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker. Political tensions have escalated as a coalition of Jewish voters and donors moves support toward Republican candidate Mike Rogers. More than 400 Jewish Democrats and independents in Michigan have issued an open letter expressing support for Rogers, stating they feel “threatened and alienated” by El-Sayed’s politics. The letter cites concerns regarding the “demonization of Jews, equivocation on terrorism, exclusion of Jewish Americans from public life, and expression of implacable hatred of the world’s only Jewish nation.” Signatories noted that their support for Rogers does not imply agreement with all his positions or support for Donald Trump. Recent polling from EPIC MRA shows El-Sayed holding a narrow 4-point lead over Rogers, with El-Sayed at 47% to Rogers’ 43%. ## Claims - Abdul El-Sayed apologized to the Michigan Jewish Democratic Caucus for remarks made following a March attack on a synagogue. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Abdul El-Sayed previously posted social media content comparing the September 11 attacks to the COVID-19 death toll. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Twitch streamer Hasan Piker made comments suggesting American Jews could face action due to their investment in Israel. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Donald Trump criticized Abdul El-Sayed, stating the candidate is ‘out of it’ and that socialism will harm the Democratic Party. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Republican candidate Mike Rogers has launched campaign advertisements targeting El-Sayed's past comments and associations. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Abdul El-Sayed has attempted to shift campaign focus from his association with Hasan Piker to economic issues like affordability. (corroborated by 2 sources) - A poll of 600 likely voters shows Abdul El-Sayed leading Mike Rogers 47% to 43% in the Michigan Senate race. (single source) - Representative Jim Clyburn offered support for Abdul El-Sayed following his apology to Jewish Democrats. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Michigan Jewish Democrats endorse GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers Over 400 Jewish Democrats and independents in Michigan have endorsed GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers, citing concerns over Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s political stances. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michigan-jewish-democrats-endorse-gop-senate-candidate-mike-rogers ### 2026-08-29: Abdul El-Sayed faces scrutiny in Michigan Senate race Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faces scrutiny over past social media posts and his ties to Hasan Piker, amid a competitive race against Republican Mike Rogers. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michigan-senate-candidates-face-campaign-controversies ### 2026-08-23: Mike Rogers asks AIPAC to withhold support in Michigan Senate race Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers has asked AIPAC not to campaign for him, fearing the pro-Israel group's involvement could hurt his standing in a swing state with a large Arab American electorate. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mike-rogers-asks-aipac-to-withhold-support-in-michigan-senate-race ### 2026-08-20: Michigan Senate race intensifies as Rogers and El-Sayed clash Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed are locked in a competitive Michigan Senate race, navigating tensions over AIPAC support and shared calls for a moratorium on data center expansion. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mike-rogers-targets-democratic-voters-and-backs-data-center-moratorium ### 2026-08-13: Michigan Jewish voters form coalition to support Mike Rogers against Abdul El-Sayed Jewish voters and donors in Michigan are forming a coalition to support Republican Mike Rogers in opposition to Democrat Abdul El-Sayed following controversies regarding El-Sayed’s stances on Israel and Judaism 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michigan-jewish-voters-form-coalition-to-support-mike-rogers-against-abdul-el-sayed --- Cite as: Michigan Senate race political tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/michigan-senate-race-political-tensions