A bitter Michigan Senate race rattles Jewish and Muslim voters already on edge over the war in Gaza
Michigan's closely contested Senate race has become deeply personal for some voters.
In West Bloomfield, Michigan, tensions have arisen within Jewish and Muslim communities due to the contentious U.S. Senate race. Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official, is the Democratic nominee and would be the first Muslim senator if elected. He faces off against Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman. The race has become particularly heated in the Detroit suburbs, where some Jewish Democrats are grappling with personal questions of faith and identity.
Meanwhile, in Dearborn, Arab American leaders who backed former President Donald Trump are growing increasingly uneasy with Republican rhetoric. The concerns are compounded by Israel's recent war in Gaza, which has already shaken communities in the area. Rogers has accused El-Sayed of being an extremist and a threat to Jewish voters, while El-Sayed has faced criticism for his comments about the Temple Israel attack in West Bloomfield.
The race has divided close friends and highlighted deep divisions within the community, with both sides expressing their disagreements and fears.
Written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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