Mike Rogers Urges AIPAC to Avoid Ads in Michigan Senate Race

Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers has urged the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to halt an advertising campaign against Democratic rival Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's closely watched Senate battleground on August 24, 2026, amid concerns the intervention could backfire.

Rogers engaged directly with AIPAC chair Michael Tuchin, prompting the lobbying organization to shelve a prepared advertisement targeting El-Sayed. The movement followed primary results where AIPAC spent over $30 million via its main super PAC, United Democracy Project, in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat El-Sayed in the Democratic primary.

Campaign strategists for Rogers expressed concern that high-profile spending by the pro-Israel group would allow El-Sayed to frame the race as a contest against outside political influence, replicating his primary strategy. Recent polling from AARP indicates a tight contest, with El-Sayed holding 48 percent to Rogers' 47 percent among likely voters.

The debate comes as political dynamics around Israel remain sensitive in Michigan, home to the nation's largest concentration of Arab-American residents. While Rogers remains a steadfast supporter of Israel and holds an endorsement from President Donald Trump, his campaign seeks to keep AIPAC's public branding separate from his general election effort.

"I welcome any and all support from the pro-Israel community and I'm proud to have their involvement," said Rogers, former Congressman.

Rogers launched a "Democrats for Rogers" initiative to appeal to voters dissatisfied with El-Sayed, specifically focusing on Jewish Democratic voters concerned about his positions on foreign policy.

"Our members are highly motivated to be involved in this race, and we will be looking at every option to make the case that El-Sayed's policies are bad for Michigan and bad for America," said Deryn Sousa, AIPAC spokesperson.

With United Democracy Project holding $59 million in cash on hand following the primary season, officials indicate discussions regarding how the organization might support the Republican candidate without direct branded advertising remain unresolved.

"There is no question that an El-Sayed victory would be a huge defeat for AIPAC and another sign of how toxic their brand has become within Democratic politics," said Doug Gordon, Democratic strategist at Upshift Strategies.

El-Sayed has repeatedly criticized AIPAC's involvement in congressional campaigns, running on a platform that rejects corporate PAC contributions while addressing voters on his foreign policy stance.

"To my Jewish American sisters and brothers ... I want you to know that my commitment to your safety, my commitment to Jewish safety, is the same commitment that I have to the safety of my own daughters," said Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan.

Addressing campaign criticisms regarding his surrogates and past statements on national television, El-Sayed reiterated his stance on the distinction between the Jewish community and political organizations.

"I love and revere Judaism and the Jewish people," said Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan. "They are not the same as AIPAC and Israel."

Following his primary victory over Haley Stevens, El-Sayed noted that ongoing outreach remains central to his general election strategy to secure open seat vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.

"I've been having great conversations with leaders in the Jewish community to talk about what it looks like to come together beyond our differences," said Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan. "My commitment to the well-being of the Jewish community, their safety, their children, their future in Michigan is the same commitment that I've got to the well-being of my own daughters and all of our kids."

Jewish voters represent roughly 1.4 percent of the electorate in Michigan, a state where recent presidential elections were decided by narrow margins.

"It is important to remember that no state has a higher percentage of Arab-American residents in the U.S. than Michigan," said Jim Kessler, Third Way's executive vice president for policy, noting that the Jewish population in the state is less than half that of the Arab-American population.

Both campaigns continue outreach across independent and swing voters as major political forecasters rate the Michigan Senate contest as a toss-up ahead of November.