Key facts
- Allies of Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers have asked Aipac not to run ads on his behalf.
- The request came after Rogers met with Aipac chair Michael Tuchin.
- Aipac shelved an ad targeting Rogers' Democratic rival, Abdul El-Sayed.
- Rogers' campaign believes Aipac's spending in the primary backfired.
- Aipac had spent over $30 million in the Democratic primary.
Allies of Michigan Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers have requested that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) refrain from running advertisements in support of his campaign, according to a report by Axios. The request highlights a potential shift in political dynamics, with Rogers' team reportedly concerned that Aipac's public endorsement could be detrimental in the upcoming election.
The tension emerged after Rogers met with Aipac chair Michael Tuchin. Following this meeting, Aipac reportedly shelved a video advertisement that had been prepared to target Rogers' Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, who has been a vocal critic of Israel. This decision underscores the challenges Aipac faces amid voter sentiment concerning the war in Gaza, suggesting that even a staunchly pro-Israel Republican like Rogers might view the group's public support as a liability.
Axios reported that Aipac had previously spent over $30 million attempting to defeat El-Sayed during the Democratic primary and was prepared to allocate millions more for Rogers' general election campaign. El-Sayed narrowly secured his primary victory against Haley Stevens on August 4. Rogers' campaign had reportedly anticipated El-Sayed's win, even as Aipac held out hope for Stevens.
During the primary, El-Sayed frequently criticized Aipac's spending, framing it as evidence that Stevens was influenced by the pro-Israel lobby. Rogers' campaign strategists believe this tactic backfired on Aipac and could be a strategy El-Sayed will employ again in the general election. Michigan's significant Arab American population and a recent Fox News poll indicating that 55 percent of Michigan voters oppose continued U.S. aid to Israel are cited as factors contributing to this political calculus.