Traditionally Democratic Jewish voters in Michigan are reportedly switching their support to Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the upcoming midterm elections, according to the Daily Mail. This shift comes as Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is currently leading Rogers by 11 points in the polls according to a New York Times/Siena University survey, faces scrutiny over his response to antisemitism and his associations with controversial figures.
Voter Shlomi Bennett told the Daily Mail that he is voting for Rogers due to "serious concerns" about El-Sayed's "response to antisemitism." Bennett cited El-Sayed's "failure to clearly condemn ads that Jewish voters have called antisemitic" and his "associations with controversial figures such as Hasan Piker and Tucker Carlson."
Haley Stevens, who previously defeated El-Sayed in the Democratic primary, has also voiced criticism. She has repeatedly called out El-Sayed over his comments about Israel and his association with streamer Hasan Piker, urging El-Sayed to apologize for remarks she described as unfairly blaming Jewish Americans for the country's problems. Stevens' endorsement of Rogers was seen by some as indicative of a "serious divide" in American politics.
El-Sayed has issued a statement asserting his commitment to protecting Jewish Americans, stating that his dedication to their safety is equal to that of his own daughters. He called antisemitism a "scourge" and declared his opposition to any rhetoric that puts the Jewish community at risk. However, he did not directly name or condemn Piker's remarks, instead emphasizing that only he and his spokespeople speak for his campaign.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin commented on Stevens' decision to endorse Rogers, calling it "courageous" and suggesting that people should respect such principled stands, even if they disagree with the position taken.
Conversely, some voters are supporting El-Sayed for different reasons. Some told the Daily Mail that El-Sayed's appearance and perceived appeal are influencing their vote. Tracy Grasy, 60, described El-Sayed as "not a bad-looking man" and "easy on the eyes," adding that his education was "even better."
First-time voter Meilyn Rodriguez, 18, stated she is voting for El-Sayed because he "just seems right for the people." She mentioned that she and her friends had seen TikTok videos about El-Sayed's looks, with some admitting they were voting for him "because he's hot."
El-Sayed's campaign has leveraged platforms like TikTok with "clever skits and trending sounds," contributing to his national popularity. Polling data indicates that he garners significantly more support from younger voters. An August EPIC-MRA survey found El-Sayed commanding 62 percent support among voters aged 18 to 34, compared to Rogers' 36 percent in that demographic. Among voters over 65, however, Rogers held a narrow lead.