Why tech investors should track Senate race - RenMac

In the Michigan Senate race between Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers and progressive Israeli critic Abdul El-Sayed, the involvement of AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, has raised questions about potential support for Rogers. Recent reports indicate that Rogers has signaled to AIPAC that they should refrain from directly spending money on his behalf in the general election. Instead, they are encouraging the use of alternative fundraising avenues to support his campaign.

Rogers has not commented on the matter, but he has attended several AIPAC-connected fundraisers in Los Angeles, according to the Times. His reported desire to avoid direct AIPAC involvement highlights a growing concern among Jewish and pro-Israel constituencies that AIPAC may be a liability rather than an asset. Dennis Bernard, a Jewish political fundraiser in metro Detroit, acknowledged that being linked to AIPAC can be a political liability and stressed the need to strategically take Jewish money amid changing political climates.

AIPAC spokesperson Deryn Sousa confirmed that the campaign has explicitly welcomed support from AIPAC and its members. However, the group remains critical of El-Sayed, considering him a prime target. Despite Rogers' reported unease with AIPAC spending, he has taken on some liberal Jewish campaign surrogates and seeks to peel Jewish voters away from El-Sayed. Rabbi Asher Lopatin, who spoke at a "Democrats for Mike" event with Rogers, criticized El-Sayed's contempt for the Jewish community and American values.