Michigan Democratic Convention Split as Attorney General Skips Over Antisemitic Harassment

Michigan Democrats gathered in Lansing for their 2026 nominating convention while internal tensions over Israel surged. Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish, said she would stay away after anti-Israel activists shouted down speakers like Rep. Haley Stevens at an April meeting. The party affirmed its commitment to a secure venue and condemned all forms of hateful conduct.

Meanwhile, the Senate primary saw Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeat Stevens, intensifying calls to cut military aid to Israel. An open letter urging Jewish Democrats and independents to back Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers has circulated, reflecting deep unease among some Jewish voters. Jewish leaders such as Joan Lowenstein and Rabbi Asher Lopatin voiced both concern and calls for resilience, while others noted a perceived leftward shift in the party. The controversy highlights a growing fault line within Michigan’s Democratic ranks over foreign policy and community safety.