AIPAC-Linked Super PAC Returns to Michigan Senate Race with Mail Blitz Targeting El-Sayed

An AIPAC super PAC Michigan Senate spending effort resumed this week, as the United Democracy Project filed a Federal Election Commission report Friday disclosing $95,000 in mailers opposing Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed. The mailers target 130,000 Jewish voters, according to spokesperson Patrick Dorton.

Mailer Content and Target Audience

The mailers reference the March attack on a Michigan synagogue, which the FBI described as Hezbollah-inspired terrorism. They cite El-Sayed’s response to the attack, highlighting a statement in which he said “Hurt people hurt people.” El-Sayed apologized in late August, saying his comments may have been misconstrued.

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Primary Spending and New General Election Push

The new expenditure is a fraction of the $33 million the super PAC spent in the August Democratic primary, where it opposed El-Sayed and supported his primary rival, Haley Stevens. Stevens supports Israel, while El-Sayed has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. This marks the first time the group has involved itself in the general election, where El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers.

Debate Exchange and Candidate Positions

During their first debate Thursday, Rogers welcomed AIPAC’s involvement, saying he would accept help from anyone. He also accused El-Sayed of supporting Hamas, a charge El-Sayed interjected to deny, stating he condemned terrorism. El-Sayed has condemned Hamas as evil and also described the Israeli government as evil.

On foreign policy, El-Sayed opposed funding defensive weapons for Israel and said he does not want tax dollars buying weapons for other countries. He declined to say whether Iran or Israel posed a bigger threat, calling the question a ridiculous hypothetical, and added he does not want war with Iran or to be pushed by Israel. He argued money should be spent on schools, healthcare, and childcare.

Friday Comments from Rogers and Kennedy

Rogers commented Friday on the small expenditure, saying it would get under El-Sayed’s skin. He also called El-Sayed anti-Jewish. At two Friday events in Michigan, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., appeared with Rogers and made explicit attacks on El-Sayed. Kennedy said AIPAC would not come if El-Sayed slept in a Bin Laden jersey, and he asserted El-Sayed supports Hamas, is antisemitic, and hates Israel. Kennedy was pressed by NBC News to explain his comment.

At the debate, El-Sayed’s closing statement focused on voters, saying he is interested in them. Axios reported that Rogers allies had asked AIPAC to stay out of the race. The total amount United Democracy Project plans to spend in the general election remains unknown.