Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced she will not attend the Michigan Democratic Party's nominating convention in August, citing concerns for her safety and experiences with harassment and rising antisemitism within the party.
Nessel, the first Jewish person elected as Michigan's attorney general, stated that she believes her presence at the convention would not be welcome and that she anticipates being subjected to harassment, yelling, and booing. "I don’t want to get chased around. I don’t want to get harassed. I don’t want to get yelled and screamed at. I don’t want to get booed off the stage, irrespective of what I’m saying. And I believe that if I go, that is what will happen because it’s been happening to me," Nessel told Jewish leaders and community members during a roundtable, according to the Michigan Advance.
Nessel indicated that party leadership has not adequately addressed her concerns about antisemitism, even after she reported harassment from some members. She noted that while intelligent discourse and debate are essential, they should not involve threats.
A spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic Party stated that the organization rejects antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hateful conduct. The party also affirmed its commitment to ensuring that its events are safe and secure environments for all attendees.
Jessica Alexander, chair of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus, expressed respect for Nessel's decision. While Alexander does not believe the Democratic Party as a whole is antisemitic, she acknowledged an increase in anti-Jewish attitudes among some dissenters. Alexander described the rhetoric surrounding certain campaigns as a potential "dog whistle for classic anti-Jewish tropes such as ‘Jews hold the power, they have the money, rising gas prices are their fault, etc.’"
Nessel's concerns echo those of other Michigan Democrats. Former Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow previously shared an experience where an attendee at a Democratic convention allegedly yelled an antisemitic slur at her husband, who is Jewish, while he was with their young daughter. McMorrow stated, "That is terrifying."
In 2023, Nessel disclosed that she had been the target of a "heavily armed defendant" who was allegedly planning attacks against Jewish elected officials amid the conflict in Gaza. She also previously clashed with U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a progressive Democrat from Michigan, over charges brought against anti-Israel protesters at the University of Michigan.
Some Jewish Democrats have indicated a potential shift in voting patterns, with some considering voting for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers if Abdul El-Sayed wins the Democratic primary. One voter, identifying as a "homeless Democrat," shared personal experiences with rising antisemitism and emphasized the need for leaders to address divisiveness within the party.