{"id":2608124,"date":"2026-05-28T23:19:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T03:19:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aipac-spending-and-antisemitism-emerge-in-michigan-democratic-primary\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T23:20:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T03:20:37","slug":"aipac-spending-and-antisemitism-emerge-in-michigan-democratic-primary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aipac-spending-and-antisemitism-emerge-in-michigan-democratic-primary\/","title":{"rendered":"AIPAC spending and antisemitism emerge in Michigan Democratic primary"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Faipac-spending-and-antisemitism-emerge-in-michigan-democratic-primary%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2608124&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>During a one-hour debate among three Michigan Democratic candidates for the U.S.senate-Abdul El-Sayed, Mallory McMorrow, and Haley Stevens-AIPAC influence and antisemitism were central concerns.<\/p>\n<p>El-Sayed distinguished himself by saying he had not sought AIPAC\u2019s support, while arguing that U.S. taxpayer money should not be used to fund Israel\u2019s war efforts when Americans face unmet needs at home. Stevens is described as being backed heavily by AIPAC,and McMorrow as receiving backing from J Street,a progressive pro-Israel group.<\/p>\n<p>When pressed on corporate and pro-Israel lobbying support,McMorrow saeid she has not taken money from AIPAC. Stevens did not answer directly about AIPAC, instead <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >emphasizing grassroots support<\/a>. El-Sayed criticized Stevens\u2019 response and argued that more U.S. funding for Israel would divert resources away from domestic priorities.<\/p>\n<p>The candidates also addressed antisemitism and whether it has contributed to division in the Democratic Party during the Israel-Hamas war. McMorrow cited an alleged incident at a michigan Democratic Party convention involving an antisemitic slur directed at her Jewish husband during the April event. Stevens said Jewish communities in Michigan are afraid of political violence and extremism,pointing to a synagogue ramming attack in her district. El-Sayed argued antisemitism is comparable to Islamophobia,noting he has experienced it himself.<\/p>\n<p>El-Sayed additionally faced accusations that he is not a real physician, though he says he has a medical degree from Columbia University and posted evidence online. The three Democrats will compete in the Aug. 4 primary, and the winner will challenge former Rep. Mike Rogers in the general election for the seat held by retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the three main <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"655\">Michigan<\/a> Democratic candidates running for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> debated on Thursday, the influence of AIPAC spending and antisemitism in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-kemp-perdue-locked-in-tight-georgia-gop-primary-both-tied-with-stacey-abrams\/\" title=\"Poll: Kemp, Perdue Locked in Tight Georgia GOP Primary; Both Tied with Stacey Abrams\">highly competitive primary<\/a> took center stage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the one-hour debate, former Michigan health official Abdul El-Sayed differentiated himself from his two primary opponents \u2014 Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) \u2014 on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/aipac\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2620\">AIPAC<\/a> issue.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4585486\/talarico-talafreako-taunt-merch-paxton\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Talarico embraces Paxton\u2019s \u2018Talafreako\u2019 taunt with new merch line<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4585362\/trump-kingmaker-career-ender-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump proves he\u2019s a \u2018kingmaker\u2019 and \u2018career ender\u2019: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4585105\/salena-zito-trump-knew-movement-behind-paxton\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump knew there was a \u2018movement\u2019 behind Paxton: Salena Zito<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m the only candidate on this stage that didn\u2019t ask AIPAC for their support,\u201d El-Sayed said of the American pro-Israel lobbying group. \u201cI don\u2019t think that our taxpayer dollars, which we pay every April, ought to be going to bomb children, to fund bombs and tanks for other countries when we\u2019ve got kids who can\u2019t afford basic things in our home.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stevens is heavily backed by AIPAC, while McMorrow receives support from a progressive pro-Israel advocacy group called J Street.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El-Sayed strongly opposes the Israel-Hamas war in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gaza\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"217\">Gaza<\/a> and U.S. intervention in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iran<\/a>. Both conflicts are fueling progressives\u2019 concerns about <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"219\">Israeli<\/a> influence in American politics through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bills-combatting-big-techs-monopolistic-practices-move-closer-to-becoming-law-fueled-by-unexpected-bipartisan-coalitions\/\" title=\"Bills Combatting Big Tech\u2019s Monopolistic Practices Move Closer To Becoming Law, Fueled By Unexpected Bipartisan Coalitions\">extensive lobbying efforts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Responding to a question about corporate donations, McMorrow said she has not taken any money from AIPAC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis campaign is entirely funded by 120,000 individual donors, more grassroots support than my opponents combined, the most amount of money from Michigan, and we are building up a campaign that shows that we can run very differently,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stevens did not directly answer the question on AIPAC, saying instead her campaign was a \u201clove letter to Michigan\u201d because of the grassroots support.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El-Sayed pointed out her evasive answer while arguing how the congresswoman, if elected to the Senate, would support sending more money to Israel to fight its wars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt also buys $3.5 billion sent to a foreign military that could be used to get glasses here, to provide healthcare here, to build schools here,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s where our money should be used. People know me. I say the same thing everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The topic of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/antisemitism\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"376\">antisemitism<\/a>, specifically whether it has been the source of internal party division during the Israel-Hamas war, was also brought up in a question during the debate. McMorrow referenced an alleged incident at the Michigan Democratic Party convention in April when an activist shouted an antisemitic slur at her husband, who is Jewish, in front of the couple\u2019s 5-year-old daughter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is terrifying,\u201d she said. \u201cWe need to be able to state very clearly that what the Netanyahu government has done violates the law, that the violence needs to stop, and that we need to bring about long-term peace and security for Palestinians and for Israelis. And that turning that into not an anti-Netanyahu, but an anti-American Jewish message is dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stevens said residents in her state are afraid of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicago-woman-charged-for-threatening-to-shoot-trump-and-his-teenage-son-in-the-face-in-emails-to-school\/\" title=\"Chicago woman charged for threatening to shoot Trump and his son in emails to school.\">rising political violence<\/a> and extremism targeting the Jewish community, citing a March ramming attack against a synagogue in her congressional district.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, El-Sayed equated antisemitism with Islamophobia, the latter of which he said he has experienced himself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4582644\/gop-mike-rogers-edges-dems-battling-michigan-senate-seat\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4582644\/gop-mike-rogers-edges-dems-battling-michigan-senate-seat\/\">GOP\u2019S MIKE ROGERS EDGES DEMOCRATS BATTLING FOR MICHIGAN SENATE SEAT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The progressive candidate has also faced accusations of not being an actual physician. Though he doesn\u2019t have a medical license, El-Sayed holds a medical degree from Columbia University. He <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AbdulElSayedHQ\/status\/2060109615447073225?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AbdulElSayedHQ\/status\/2060109615447073225?s=20\">posted<\/a> a photo of the degree, calling out a critical comment made by McMorrow.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The three Michigan Democrats will face off in the state\u2019s Aug. 4 primary, after which the victor will challenge former Rep. Mike Rogers in the general election to succeed retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Debate highlights AIPAC influence and antisemitism in Michigan Dem Senate primary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2608125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-dmvqgexvy-1780021456798-e1780021657897.jpg?1780007247&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33006,7053,33926,32807,4601],"class_list":["post-2608124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-aipac","tag-antisemitism","tag-campaign-finance","tag-democratic-primary","tag-michigan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-dmvqgexvy-1780021456798-e1780021657897.jpg?1780007247&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2608124"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2608128,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608124\/revisions\/2608128"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2608125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2608124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2608124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2608124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}