El-Sayed's 51-47 Michigan Deficit Threatens Democrats' Senate Path as Israel Backlash Splits Voters
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 18
El-Sayed's 51-47 Michigan Deficit Threatens Democrats' Senate Path as Israel Backlash Splits Voters
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 18
Summary
A Fox News poll taken after the primary put Republican Mike Rogers ahead of Abdul El-Sayed 51% to 47%, turning Michigan into a fresh risk for Democrats' bid to retake the Senate.
El-Sayed's criticism of Israel has alienated some Jewish voters and donors; three Michigan Democratic donors are even hosting a fundraiser for Rogers, arguing El-Sayed has not adequately confronted antisemitism.
Chuck Schumer, who backed Haley Stevens in the primary, said he disagrees with El-Sayed on Israel but will work with him to hold the seat, even as some local Jewish Democrats fault him for not speaking more forcefully.
Michigan is central to the map: if Democrats lose a state Trump carried by less than 2 points in 2024, they would likely need to flip a fifth Republican seat in deeper-red territory to win the majority.