Michigan Senate race strains Jewish and Muslim voters over Gaza

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Michigan — Michigan's U.S. Senate race has drawn in Jewish and Muslim voters already affected by Israel's war in Gaza, according to Bridge Michigan, which reported on Monday.

Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman, is running against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official. El-Sayed would be the country's first Muslim senator if elected on Nov. 3. Bridge Michigan reported that Rogers has portrayed El-Sayed as an extremist and a threat to Jewish voters. Rogers laughed when a visiting Republican senator said El-Sayed slept in an Osama bin Laden jersey, the outlet reported.

Some Jewish Democrats in the Detroit suburbs are weighing whether they can support their party's nominee. Arab American leaders in Dearborn who backed President Donald Trump two years ago are growing alarmed by Republican rhetoric, Bridge Michigan said.

Lori Goldman, a Jewish Democratic activist, described Rogers' message as "a fear campaign." Her close friend Mimi Price-Miletic, a member of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus, said she is not supporting El-Sayed and has not ruled out voting for Rogers.

El-Sayed condemned the March attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. He drew criticism for saying "hurt people hurt people," and later apologised. Rogers has repeatedly cited those comments. Trump claimed on Wednesday that El-Sayed was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. There is no evidence that El-Sayed has any affiliation with the group, according to the report.

Background

The race followed a Democratic primary between El-Sayed and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, in which Israel became a central issue. Stevens benefited from roughly $30 million in spending by groups affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, according to Bridge Michigan.

Rogers has campaigned heavily in Oakland County, home to a significant share of the state's Jewish population. He is due to hold an event later in October with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.