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Jewish voters weigh switching to Rogers amid concerns over El-Sayed’s stance on antisemitism
Developed over time first seen 1 day ago
Some Jewish voters in Detroit say they are switching from the Democrats to Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race because they are concerned about Abdul El-Sayed’s response to antisemitism. Their accounts point to a divide over how candidates address antisemitic rhetoric, while a poll cited in the article still gives El-Sayed a substantial lead.
Former Democratic primary rival Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers, criticising El-Sayed’s comments about Israel and his association with streamer Hasan Piker. El-Sayed called antisemitism a “scourge” and pledged to protect Jewish Americans, but did not name Piker or directly condemn his remarks. A New York Times/Siena University poll put El-Sayed on 53 per cent and Rogers on 42 per cent; younger voters have been a strong source of El-Sayed’s support, including through his TikTok presence.
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In short
- Some Detroit Jewish voters say they will back Republican Mike Rogers.
- Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers over concerns about El-Sayed’s remarks and associations.
- A cited poll still showed El-Sayed leading Rogers by 11 points.
How this story developed
- 21 hours ago Further voter accounts underscored the divide over antisemitism, while Haley Stevens’s endorsement of Rogers and a poll showing El-Sayed ahead by 53 per cent to 42 per cent drew attention to the competing pressures on his campaign.
- 1 day ago The contest took on wider significance as El-Sayed, a progressive physician and former public health official, became the Democratic nominee for the open seat and faced Rogers in the 3 November midterm election, with the result still unknown.
- 1 day ago Some Jewish voters in Detroit said they were switching from the Democrats to Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race over concerns about Abdul El-Sayed’s response to antisemitism, although a poll showed El-Sayed leading.
- Bridge Michigan Abdul El-Sayed, Mike Rogers make final pitches in Michigan US Senate race
- France 24 Jewish voters weigh switching to Rogers amid concerns over El-Sayed’s stance on antisemitism
- Daily Mail Democrats in Michigan tell the Daily Mail why they're voting Republican as 'troubling' Abdul El-Sayed surges in poll
Where outlets differ
Centre outlets 1
- Jewish voters weigh switching to Rogers amid concerns over El-Sayed’s stance on antisemitismFrance 24
Only here: jewish, voters, weigh, switching, rogers
Right-leaning outlets 1
Only here: democrats, michigan, tell, daily, mail
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Jewish voters who back Rogers can reasonably argue that public leaders should clearly challenge antisemitic rhetoric, including when it comes from political allies or influential figures they associate with. They may see El-Sayed’s broad condemnation, without directly addressing Piker’s remarks, as insufficient reassurance, and view their vote as a way to prioritise that concern.
The case against
Voters who remain with El-Sayed can reasonably point to his explicit description of antisemitism as a scourge and his pledge to protect Jewish Americans, while judging his record and policies as a whole rather than treating association with a streamer as endorsement of that person’s remarks. They may also regard Stevens’s endorsement of Rogers as a political choice, and conclude that other issues or El-Sayed’s appeal to younger voters matter more to their vote.
Explained simply
Michigan is a politically competitive state in the American Midwest, and its Senate seat is one of the races that could influence which party controls the US Senate. Abdul El-Sayed is a Democrat and Mike Rogers is a Republican; both are seeking the seat.
Antisemitism means hostility or prejudice towards Jewish people. Debate over El-Sayed’s comments about Israel and his links to online streamer Hasan Piker has become part of the campaign, alongside his stated pledge to protect Jewish Americans. Former Democratic rival Haley Stevens has backed Rogers, while El-Sayed has drawn support from younger voters, including through TikTok.
Coverage · 3 sources
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- France 24CentreJewish voters weigh switching to Rogers amid concerns over El-Sayed’s stance on antisemitism
- Bridge MichiganAbdul El-Sayed, Mike Rogers make final pitches in Michigan US Senate race
- Daily MailRightDemocrats in Michigan tell the Daily Mail why they're voting Republican as 'troubling' Abdul El-Sayed surges in poll
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Originally published by France 24 as “US midterms: Michigan Senate candidate El-Sayed becomes Democrats’ rising star”.