LANSING, Mich., July 24 (Our Michigan Times) — Michigan’s U.S. Senate race is moving into the final stretch before the Aug. 4 Democratic primary, and the contest between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens is exposing a split inside some Jewish Democratic circles.
Some Jewish donors and activists in Michigan say they would vote for Republican Mike Rogers if El-Sayed becomes the Democratic nominee. Others are treating Rogers as a backup plan, or a political hedge, if they decide El-Sayed’s views on Israel are a step too far for them.
Who is in the race?
El-Sayed and Stevens are competing for the Democratic nomination. Rogers, the former Republican congressman, is seen in the reporting as the likely GOP nominee.
The race matters because Michigan’s Senate seat could help decide which party controls the chamber. But for some Jewish voters and donors, the primary is also forcing a choice between party loyalty and their views on Israel.
What does “hedge” mean in this context?
In politics, a hedge means a fallback choice. Here, it means some donors who usually support Democrats are preparing for the possibility that they may prefer Rogers over El-Sayed if El-Sayed wins the primary.
Dennis Bernard, the Jewish Federations of North America’s national chair of government relations, said there are “leaders in our Jewish community who are longtime, lifelong Democrats and Democratic fundraisers, who are very concerned with where their party’s going.” He said that if El-Sayed wins, they would support Rogers “both financially and with their vote.”
Neil Gorosh, a retired commercial mortgage banker, said he would vote for Rogers over El-Sayed, but would not give money to Rogers’ campaign. “If it came down to Mike Rogers and El-Sayed, I will vote for Mike Rogers,” Gorosh said.
Why is Israel at the center of the split?
The concern reported in the interviews centers on El-Sayed’s positions on Israel. For some Jewish Democrats, that issue is more important than the normal party line.
Rogers has also tried to turn the debate into a contrast. In an interview quoted by the Denver Gazette, he said it is “very short-sighted and politically naive” to say Israel should not be allowed to defend itself.
On a supporter call reported by CNN, Rogers said, “If he wins, I think we’re in a favorable position,” referring to El-Sayed. He also said, “I think our chances improve if he becomes the nominee.”
Rogers’ campaign said, “We’re well-positioned to triumph over both of them.” Stevens’ campaign said Rogers was acknowledging that Republicans think they can beat El-Sayed.
What should readers watch next?
The key date is Aug. 4, when Michigan Democrats choose their nominee. Until then, the talk about Jewish donors, fundraisers, and possible vote switching is a snapshot of what some people say they intend to do — not an official result.
The public reporting cited so far does not show certified votes, final fundraising records, or any formal evidence that every person discussing a Rogers “hedge” will actually shift money or ballots. It does show that Israel, and how each candidate talks about it, has become a major fault line in the race.
