In final Michigan Senate debate, GOP’s Rogers says Jewish voters ‘afraid’ of El-Sayed

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has recently hired Lenore Goldman as a Jewish outreach director in an effort to secure the support of undecided Jewish voters. Goldman, a veteran political consultant with Michigan connections, has previously worked on campaigns promoting a national minimum wage increase and a nonpartisan redistricting commission in Michigan. She has also consulted for Jewish organizations like the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco.

El-Sayed has faced challenges in winning over Jewish voters, who have criticized his strong criticism of Israel and his association with progressive figure Hasan Piker, who has been accused of antisemitism. Goldman entered the campaign after El-Sayed's team first announced they were seeking a Jewish liaison position in August. Recent polls show a tight race between El-Sayed and his Republican opponent, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, with El-Sayed holding a narrow lead.

To improve relations with Jewish voters, El-Sayed released a letter expressing his commitment to protecting Michigan's Jewish community from antisemitism. However, some Jews have remained skeptical of his candidacy and have voiced concerns about his stance on Israel. El-Sayed's campaign has since distanced itself from Piker and his past remarks.

In the final days of the campaign, Jewish surrogates for El-Sayed are actively canvassing to boost support. A Jewish canvassing initiative led by the progressive voter-mobilization group Seed the Vote is working with Jewish advocacy groups Bend the Arc Action and IfNotNow. Jewish Michiganders like Ronit Wagman, who has canvassed in Detroit, have faced hostility from some local Jewish households but have emphasized the importance of distancing themselves from the candidate's more controversial remarks.