DETROIT ~ Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers has reportedly asked the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, known as AIPAC, not to publicly intervene in Michigan’s Senate race, a notable development in one of the nation’s most closely watched contests. According to published reports, Rogers’ allies urged the influential pro-Israel organization not to run advertising on his behalf, and AIPAC subsequently shelved a prepared advertisement targeting Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
(CONTINUED) The move follows Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, where AIPAC and affiliated groups spent more than $30 million in an effort to block El-Sayed’s nomination. El-Sayed ultimately defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and has frequently criticized AIPAC’s role in American politics and U.S. policy toward Israel.
Published reports indicate Rogers did not reject support from pro-Israel donors broadly. Rather, discussions reportedly focused on limiting AIPAC’s direct public role in the race. AIPAC has said its members remain highly interested in the contest and continue to evaluate ways to make their case against El-Sayed ahead of the November election.
