Michigan Senate Race: AIPAC’s Involvement and Democratic Division

In South Haven, Michigan, Senate candidate Haley Stevens frequently emphasizes her focus on manufacturing and opposing President Donald Trump. She positions herself as the best Democrat to win in Michigan. Meanwhile, Stevens has remained largely silent regarding the pro-Israel group investing heavily in her campaign.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its related groups have invested nearly $30 million in supporting Stevens. This marks their largest investment in a single political race to date. They aim to prevent progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed from winning the primary on August 4. Stevens tends to avoid direct discussion about AIPAC despite its significant impact on the election’s dynamics.

During a campaign stop in West Michigan in July, Stevens was asked about AIPAC twice. Her responses, totaling over 800 words, did not mention the organization once. She only briefly mentioned Israel by expressing a desire for the U.S. and Israel to collaborate on rebuilding Gaza. When asked about AIPAC’s support, Stevens indicated that her supporters back her due to her dedication to Michigan.

The influence of AIPAC in Democratic politics has become increasingly controversial, partly due to the party’s divide over U.S. support for Israel amid the war in Gaza. AIPAC aims to elect lawmakers who reinforce U.S.-Israel relations and enhance security for both nations. AIPAC did not respond to requests for comment, and its super PAC, United Democracy Project, also declined to comment.

The situation holds significant implications in Michigan, which hosts the largest Arab American population in the U.S. Outside Michigan, El-Sayed’s progressive allies view the race as a test of grassroots efforts against large financial backing. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who campaigned for El-Sayed, stated that the race is pivotal in demonstrating that factors beyond money can prevail in American politics.

Stevens’ campaign has significantly less financial muscle. She spent $1 million on advertising compared to the $50 million spent by her supporters, including major contributions from A Stronger Michigan, which invested about $12 million.

El-Sayed has made AIPAC and the substantial financial support for Stevens a central theme in his campaign. He accuses Stevens of being influenced by her major donors. During campaign events, Bernie Sanders, supporting El-Sayed, called Stevens an employee of wealthy individuals.

Voters in Michigan might not recognize that most campaign ads are sponsored by AIPAC, as they primarily highlight Stevens’ focus on manufacturing and feature former President Barack Obama, per former Representative Andy Levin.

The Democratic candidates in Michigan hold differing views on the conflict in Gaza. Stevens, one of Congress’s staunchest supporters of Israel, has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a debate, accusing him of failing to improve security. In contrast, El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, condemns Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The war in Gaza follows Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and hostages. The conflict continued for over 1,000 days, leading to significant Palestinian casualties as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.

If El-Sayed wins, he would be the first Muslim U.S. senator. He has faced questions about whether his faith affects his electability in Michigan. He addressed his faith in an email to supporters, viewing it as guidance in daily life rather than solely identity.

El-Sayed’s campaign focuses on grassroots efforts, with over 10,000 volunteers statewide, compared to Stevens’ campaign, claiming to have hundreds of volunteers across the state. El-Sayed emphasizes the power of collective action over financial influence.

The Democratic divide on U.S.-Israel support is nationwide. This division was prominent as 103 House Democrats unsuccessfully attempted to block $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel. Representative Pat Ryan, previously supported by AIPAC, expressed his disapproval of the organization.

The issue impacted the 2024 race as well. In Michigan’s Senate race, activists pressured Elissa Slotkin to adopt a stricter stance on Israel, despite her previous distance from AIPAC. She narrowly defeated Republican Mike Rogers, who is running again unopposed in the GOP primary.

While party division remains, it is unclear if this will significantly influence primary voting. Concerns such as the economy may hold more sway among primary voters, suggests Michigan political strategist Adrian Hemond.