Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate from Michigan, has requested that AIPAC refrain from advertising on his behalf, leading to a significant rift with the pro-Israel organization. Rogers recently spoke with AIPAC chair Michael Tuchin in Los Angeles, after which AIPAC decided to halt a video ad targeting Rogers' Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, who has been critical of Israel. This situation highlights AIPAC's declining political influence amid voter discontent regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Despite being a pro-Israel Republican, Rogers is concerned that AIPAC's involvement could be detrimental to his campaign in the upcoming election on November 3.
Rogers' team expressed frustration to AIPAC, which had previously invested over $30 million in efforts to defeat El-Sayed in the Democratic primary and was prepared to allocate more funds to support Rogers. El-Sayed had utilized AIPAC's spending against him to position his Democratic opponent, Haley Stevens, as aligned with the pro-Israel lobby.
Following El-Sayed's narrow victory in the primary, AIPAC indicated its desire to continue supporting Rogers in the general election. However, Rogers' team believed that AIPAC's previous ads had inadvertently strengthened El-Sayed's campaign. They suggested that AIPAC could support Rogers without overtly associating its name with his campaign, proposing alternatives such as directing AIPAC donors to a pro-Rogers super PAC.
Currently, discussions between Rogers and AIPAC have stalled, prompting a broader effort among GOP members to mediate. Some Republican donors with connections to both parties are attempting to facilitate a resolution. Concerns have been raised that AIPAC may choose to forgo involvement in the general election, although others believe the organization will ultimately engage in the race.
AIPAC has faced several defeats in Democratic primaries recently, and its latest loss occurred when a candidate it opposed won a special election in Northern California. Rogers is campaigning in a swing state with a significant Arab American population, which may influence his approach to issues surrounding Israel and Gaza. A recent poll indicated that 55% of Michigan voters oppose continued U.S. aid to Israel. Political operatives from both parties suggest that the Michigan race may hinge more on economic perceptions than on views regarding Israel. Rogers has expressed openness to support from the pro-Israel community, while AIPAC representatives did not respond to requests for comment.