Mike Rogers courts Jewish Democratic voters in tight Michigan Senate contest

Mike Rogers, a Republican who narrowly lost to Elissa Slotkin in 2024, is seeking to win over Jewish Democratic voters in Michigan as he faces Abdul el Sayed, the Democratic nominee, for the Senate seat of retiring Gary Peters. Rogers' campaign has rolled out "Democrats for Mike Rogers" signage and a television spot starring a West Bloomfield resident identified only as Chelsea, a lifelong Democrat who now supports Rogers because of perceived differences on Israel.

A trio of Jewish leaders, including the head of the Jewish Federation of Detroit, will host a fundraising event for Rogers next week. Rogers contends that el Sayed's past remarks questioning Israel's right to exist could erode the roughly two-thirds of Jewish voters who usually back Democrats. El Sayed responded to concerns by affirming his commitment to Jewish safety, likening it to the protection he seeks for his own daughters, but declined to address the criticism directly. Polls show the race remains within the margin of error, and the Jewish community, estimated at over 100,000 adults, could prove decisive.