{"id":2680605,"date":"2026-10-10T10:43:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T14:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jewish-democrats-consider-republican-mike-rogers-for-senate\/"},"modified":"2026-10-10T10:48:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T14:48:10","slug":"jewish-democrats-consider-republican-mike-rogers-for-senate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jewish-democrats-consider-republican-mike-rogers-for-senate\/","title":{"rendered":"Jewish Democrats consider Republican Mike Rogers for Senate"},"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\">16<\/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%2Fjewish-democrats-consider-republican-mike-rogers-for-senate%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=2680605&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>The article discusses the upcoming Michigan Senate race, emphasizing its significance in the broader context of U.S. politics and the impact on Jewish communities. Michigan, home to about 130,000 Jews, is a battleground with a contest that is causing internal debates among Jewish democrats. The primary involved a contentious race between the Democratic nominee Abdul el Sayed, who is perceived as anti-Zionist and perhaps antisemitic, and Republican Mike Rogers, a more traditional conservative candidate. Many Jewish voters and leaders are conflicted; some support Rogers due to concerns about el Sayed\u2019s positions, associations with anti-Semitic figures, and the potential influence of far-left elements on the Democratic Party. <\/p>\n<p>Jewish community leaders express fears that a victory for el Sayed could embolden anti-Israel sentiments and threaten Jewish safety,citing increased incidents of antisemitism and recent terrorist attacks. The race has highlighted divisions within the Jewish community over party loyalty, Israel, and the increasing polarization in U.S. politics. Some voters and activists are critical of the Democratic Party\u2019s shifting stance on Israel and the rise of far-left perspectives, viewing such changes as dangerous for Jewish Americans. the election is seen as a crucial test of political values, community safety, and the future direction of American Jewish identity amidst a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/americans-who-have-worse-finances-since-biden-was-elected-overwhelmingly-blame-democrats\/\" title=\"Americans Who Have Worse Finances Since Biden Was Elected Overwhelmingly Blame ...\">highly polarized political environment<\/a>.  <\/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<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-first wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the two parties battle to control the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/senate\/\">Senate <\/a>this fall, politically purple <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/michigan\/\">Michigan<\/a> could be both close and decisive. The dynamics of Michigan\u2019s race are also making some Jewish Democrats rethink their priors. And that\u2019s where things get interesting<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-1c11fdcd-5e8e-4021-a75d-34381312fb95-style\">@scope (#mos-1c11fdcd-5e8e-4021-a75d-34381312fb95) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we-grid {     grid-template-columns: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-1c11fdcd-5e8e-4021-a75d-34381312fb95-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-1c11fdcd-5e8e-4021-a75d-34381312fb95) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-1c11fdcd-5e8e-4021-a75d-34381312fb95\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Michigan is home to approximately <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/jewishvirtuallibrary.org\/jewish-population-in-the-united-states-by-state\">130,000 Jews<\/a>, many of whom voted enthusiastically for Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4687074\/haley-stevens-charms-democratic-detractors-after-primary-loss\/\">Haley Stevens<\/a> (D-MI) in the Democratic primary. Since Stevens\u2019s loss, however, Jewish Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have had to decide: vote for anti-Zionist Democratic nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abdul-el-sayed\/\">Abdul el Sayed <\/a>or his Republican opponent, former Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-rogers\/\">Mike Rogers<\/a>? In classic Jewish fashion, that question has prompted a heated intra-communal debate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jewish clergy launched <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nonnegotiable.org\/#sign\">a petition<\/a> of five \u201cnonnegotiable\u201d positions regarding American Jews and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/israel\/\">Israel<\/a>, el Sayed\u2019s campaign bogeymen. Noting that \u201cAmerican Jews now feel forced to fight for the party they long claimed as their political home,\u201d signatories asked Democratic \u201cleaders to treat explosive bigotry and violence against our community as the national emergency it is.\u201d Since el Sayed still hasn\u2019t responded to the petition, it remains unclear how its Democratic signatories will vote. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, over 500 Jewish Democrats and independents are <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mijewsvote.com\">publicly supporting<\/a> Rogers, because they \u201chave felt threatened and alienated by the politics and allies embraced by Abdul El-Sayed\u201d and fear that if el Sayed wins, \u201cthe far-left and anti-Jewish elements in the Democratic Party would become dominant, including in the imminent 2028 presidential race.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a rocky time for Jewish Michiganders. Michigan regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Elyssa Schmier told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that while 159 incidents targeting Jews \u201cor those perceived to be\u201d either Jewish or \u201csupportive of Jews\u201d in Michigan were reported to the ADL between January and June 2025, 190 such incidents were reported during that same period in 2026. Notably, most 2026 incidents followed the March 12 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thejc.com\/news\/usa\/after-the-temple-israel-attack-detroits-jewish-community-stands-unbowed-y8dkrc4l\">terrorist attack<\/a> on Temple Israel, a Detroit-area synagogue with 140 preschoolers inside.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\">(Illustration by Amanda Boston Trypanis\/Washington Examiner; AP photos)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/Feat.Michigan.101426.jpg?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;658&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/Feat.Michigan.101426.jpg?w=696&#8243; alt=&#8221;Mike Rogers Abdul el Sayed&#8221; class=&#8221;wp-image-4762180&#8243; style=&#8221;width:771px;height:auto&#8221;  ><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Illustration by Amanda Boston Trypanis\/Washington Examiner; AP photos)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, this is not a typical election. Ten people familiar with Michigan politics and Michigan Jews shared their observations, confirming that el Sayed\u2019s candidacy is dividing Jewish Michiganders and reshaping voting patterns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Daniel Cherrin, who has \u201crun for public office twice\u201d as a Democrat but donated to both Democrats and Republicans, is a case in point.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMany voters see this [as an] election between two choices: to stop or block the current [Trump] administration from implementing its agenda or to protect the Jewish community and work to reduce what is driving the rise of antisemitism,\u201d Cherrin observed. \u201cWhoever wins the Senate seat will be in office for at least six years, if not for decades to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cherrin is \u201creally concerned\u201d about the campaign season\u2019s messages \u201cabout Jews overall and the movement behind\u201d el Sayed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI feel threatened as a Jew in Michigan,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, while abortion and Supreme Court appointments were top priorities in other years, \u201cthe most important issue to me in this race is Israel and the Jewish community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rabbi Asher Lopatin, who leads a Detroit congregation, spoke in his personal capacity. He shared concerns echoed by others, including el Sayed\u2019s obsessing \u201cabout Israel and Gaza and [the American Israel Public Affairs Committee],\u201d and conveying \u201ca hatred of the Jewish community.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lopatin believes el Sayed has demonstrated a \u201clack of sensitivity\u201d by closely associating with \u201cknown antisemites\u201d like <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hasan-piker\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"22479\">Hasan Piker<\/a> during the primary and responding to the March Detroit area <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thejc.com\/news\/usa\/after-the-temple-israel-attack-detroits-jewish-community-stands-unbowed-y8dkrc4l\">terrorist attack<\/a> by saying, \u201churt people hurt people.\u201d Taken together, he\u2019s \u201csomeone you cannot vote for.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lopatin acknowledged that he doesn\u2019t completely align with Rogers on the issues. For example, he is \u201cvery much for reproductive rights.\u201d However, Lopatin prefers Rogers, who is \u201ca pretty conventional, conservative Republican.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinical social worker Troy Zukowski-Serlin has supported Democrats since Walter Mondale ran for president in 1984. However, he\u2019s now resigned from his position with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mijewishdems.org\">Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus<\/a>, so he has \u201cthe freedom to campaign for\u201d Rogers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zukowski-Serlin disagrees with Rogers on \u201ca lot of policy issues,\u201d but said Rogers accepts \u201cIsrael\u2019s legitimacy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s reached out to Jews; he rejects the genocide label, the apartheid label for Israel,\u201d Zukowski-Serlin said. \u201cSo, I see him as friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zukowski-Serlin also sees the importance of lifelong Jewish Democrats saying, \u201chere\u2019s our line in the sand\u201d and voting Republican when Democrats cross that line by not recognizing Israel\u2019s legitimacy and \u201cpush[ing] the genocide and apartheid lies about Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like Cherrin, Zukowski-Serlin sees President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> as a comparatively short-term factor \u201cfor another couple of years, and he\u2019ll probably be a lame duck after this election.\u201d By contrast, he noted that Michigan\u2019s next senator \u201cwill be there for six years, and they will have a big impact.\u201d Zukowski-Serlin worries that \u201cif el Sayed wins, this will be a shot in the arm for Palestinians to continue resisting accepting Israel as a legitimate state.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Political activist and entrepreneur Hannan Lis, who has fundraised for national Democrats, opposes el Sayed\u2019s vilification of Israel, portraying pro-Israel American Jews as a \u201cfifth column,\u201d and using \u201cJewish voters as a tool to divide and conquer.\u201d Lis further takes issue with el Sayed\u2019s \u201ceconomic theory and his political theory. His social theory is basically a form of socialism. Some call it Marxism.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lis described Rogers as a \u201cmoderate Republican\u201d with \u201csensible Midwestern values,\u201d and the \u201cfar superior\u201d candidate. He characterized Rogers as \u201ca person of integrity, a guy who believes in public service, and frankly, he has a history of working across the aisle.\u201d Lis clarified that his is \u201cnot a protest vote. It is a vote for somebody who\u2019s going to represent Michigan voters in a way that is more in agreement with my values.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not everyone feels equally comfortable about crossing over, however. Jewish community leader and retired investor Michael Horowitz was \u201ca classic independent\u201d until identifying with Democrats during Trump\u2019s first term. Horowitz is \u201cleaning heavily towards Mike Rogers, and there is no way I will vote for el Sayed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Horowitz said his vote in this election is \u201cone of the most gut-wrenching decisions that I\u2019ve ever had to make.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Horowitz is concerned about Rogers \u201cfollowing Trump\u2019s lead,\u201d but sees el Sayed as the greater danger. El Sayed\u2019s \u201crhetoric is antisemitic,\u201d and as a capitalist, He is \u201cuncomfortable\u201d with the \u201ccommunist Left\u201d represented among el Sayed\u2019s supporters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat wing of the party is much less interested in creating a big tent than in taking over the tent,\u201d Hotowitz said. \u201cI see them as a danger to the Democratic Party, and I see them as a danger to America.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cantor Rachel Gottlieb Kalmowitz<strong>,<\/strong> an officer of the Michigan Board of Cantors who emphasized that she was speaking only for herself<strong>,<\/strong> shared Horowitz\u2019s uneasiness. Gottlieb Kalmowitz observed that \u201cit feels very tense\u201d for Jewish Michiganders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJewish Democrats are in a very difficult spot,\u201d after Stevens\u2019s primary loss, she said, calling the upcoming general election an \u201cexistential vote.\u201d \u201cJews are being given a really horrible choice.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gottlieb Kalmowitz referenced Queen Esther\u2019s risking her life to save the Jewish people, before citing Hillel the Elder\u2019s famous <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/voices.sefaria.org\/sheets\/35125?lang=bi\">three-part quotation<\/a>, urging both particularism and universalism: \u201cIt starts, \u2018If I am not for myself, who will be for me?\u2019 And in this moment, [Jews] have to put our own survival above anything else. And so, the fact that I disagree with Mike Rogers on so many social issues, etc., that does not reach the same level as voting for our survival.\u201d Without surviving, \u201cwe can\u2019t continue to help the other causes that we believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gottlieb Kalmowitz considers \u201cpeople like el Sayed, who speak well and look good and seem reasonable and intelligent\u2026 the most dangerous, when they repeat this lie of genocide\u201d and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/el-sayed-makes-peace-jewish-democrats-draws-line-dumping-hasan-piker\">offer<\/a> \u2018context\u2019 when Jews are attacked or threatened. It makes American Jews less safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some Jewish voters see a Republican-controlled Senate \u201cas a huge risk to America, because they\u2019re so much against Trump,\u201d and they \u201cwill be in a tough position,\u201d Lopatin observed. But if \u201can openly racist Democrat [were] running against a Republican, what would you do?,\u201d Lopatin asked, offering a thought experiment. \u201cYou would never vote for that person, the people\u2026 that are torn\u201d because \u201ccertain things are just not acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rabbi Lopatin believes that logic should apply here, too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the country hurtles toward Election Day, it\u2019s clear that this particular race has already generated a very different response than the election of outspoken anti-Zionist Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/rashida-tlaib\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1114\">Rashida Tlaib<\/a> (D-MI) did in 2018. Lopatin explained that Tlaib \u201crepresented one district,\u201d rather than \u201cthe whole state. So, it\u2019s a much bigger deal\u201d and \u201cscarier.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lis had recognized Tlaib as a directional change for Democrats, but \u201cnot to the extent of what we see now.\u201d He estimated \u201cthe change started probably 15, 20 years ago. It\u2019s just been escalating.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Horowitz noted that the Democratic Socialists of America\u2019s \u201csocialist, communist agenda wasn\u2019t a national discussion in 2018. It is now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For his part, Zukowski-Serlin described Tlaib as \u201ca fringe candidate\u201d without \u201cmuch of a following in Congress.\u201d By contrast, \u201cAbdul would be the first Muslim U.S. senator in American history and someone who is very outspoken in being anti-Israel.\u201d His victory \u201cwould be an international story.\u201d And \u201cif I\u2019m Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, [or] Iranian leaders, an Abdul el Sayed win would be a <em>major<\/em> victory for them and what I call the digital intifada\u2026 He\u2019s a classic example of what is called the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4722444\/ted-cruz-red-green-alliance-democratic-party-abdul-el-sayed\/\">Red-Green Alliance<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Horowitz credited el Sayed with \u201cbeing a wonderful speaker, a good candidate,\u201d and \u201cquick on his feet.\u201d But looking ahead, \u201cshould [el Sayed] be elected, he will be a leader in a movement that I am totally concerned about, anxious about, and could never support,\u201d Horowitz said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cantor Gottlieb Kalmowitz shared similar qualms. She believes el Sayed harbors \u201cnational ambitions\u201d beyond the Senate and \u201crepresents this new kind of Democrat, who is anti-Zionist and with thinly veiled antisemitism.\u201d Electing \u201cthis far-left, anti-Jewish, Democratic senator\u201d means \u201camplifying that part of the party that used to be seen as extreme\u201d and \u201cmaking that seem moderate, making that seem reasonable, making that a standard bearer. And that is terrifying to me,\u201d Gottlieb Kalmowitz said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These voters hope Democrats hear a message in their crossing over. Cherrin, for example, hopes the party reflects and considers why longtime voters are feeling alienated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lopatin argued \u201cit\u2019s poison for the Democratic Party that they don\u2019t speak out against antisemitism.\u201d He specified that he meant \u201cembracing someone like Hasan Piker. I mean, justifying, rationalizing . . .\u00a0 the near bombing of Temple Israel . . . calling all of Israel \u2018blood thirsty.\u2019\u201d And \u201cthe fact that the Democratic Party is riddled with these people that talk in those ways is very scary,\u201d Lopatin said, speaking \u201cas someone who has admired the Democratic Party.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zukowski-Serlin shared, \u201cI\u2019m very angry with the party, and I\u2019ll come right out and say that I feel a sense of betrayal from party leaders and even fellow Democrats.\u201d Relatedly, Zukowski-Serlin is currently weighing whether his future lies with the Democrats or in becoming a political independent. For Lis, \u201cThis takeover of the mainstream Democratic Party has been a disaster for the party. I don\u2019t believe that the Democratic Party can succeed in America unless it\u2019s moving to the center.\u201d So, if speaking publicly about his support for Rogers makes \u201cthe Democratic Party pay attention, and be more intentional about\u201d promoting more moderate candidates, Lis will \u201cbe very happy with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf we as American Jews say that it is okay that this is what the Democratic Party is becoming, it\u2019s saying that we don\u2019t deserve to have a state, that we don\u2019t deserve to be safe, that we can continue to be scapegoated, and lied about, and attacked,\u201d Gottlieb Kalmowitz said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4748806\/the-war-on-european-jews-and-the-new-reality-of-american-jewish-life\/\"><strong>THE WAR ON EUROPEAN JEWS AND THE NEW REALITY OF AMERICAN JEWISH LIFE <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reflecting on singer Ed Sheeran\u2019s recent, initial silence about Macklemore\u2019s anti-Zionist opening act on Sheeran\u2019s tour, she added, \u201cIt\u2019s becoming so acceptable to make Jews feel uncomfortable, unsafe, [and] unwelcome. We need to say \u2018no.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Democratic Party has been undergoing a major shift. Its big tent may be spacious, but increasingly, there\u2019s no room for Zionists. That offers Republican candidates like Rogers an opportunity to recruit disaffected Democrats and Democratic leaning independent voters. The GOP should seize it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Melissa Langsam Braunstein (@slowhoneybee) is an independent writer in metropolitan Washington.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michigan&#8217;s Senate race sparks Jewish Democrats&#8217; reevaluation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4435,"featured_media":2680606,"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\/10\/Feat.Michigan.101426.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[40570,37696,35292,34723],"class_list":["post-2680605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-jewish-democrats","tag-mike-rogers","tag-political-parties","tag-senate-race"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Feat.Michigan.101426.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2680605","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\/4435"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2680605"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2680605\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2680609,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2680605\/revisions\/2680609"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2680606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2680605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2680605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2680605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}