Senator Slotkin backs anti-Semitic Senate hopeful, dismisses notion of a Jewish vote

Senator Elissa Slotkin announced her endorsement of Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic contender for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat, describing the decision as a choice between ‘Team Fight’ and ‘Team Flight.’ She argued that El-Sayed will confront President Donald Trump in Washington, whereas more moderate Democrats might seek compromise. In a televised interview, Slotkin dismissed the idea of a distinct Jewish voting bloc, saying there is no such thing as Jewish voters, just as there are no Muslim or Black voters.

The endorsement places her alongside fellow Jewish Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who have also supported El-Sayed despite his antisemitic rhetoric and refusal to condemn extremist groups. Critics contend that backing a candidate who has employed classic antisemitic tropes undermines Jewish safety and signals a willingness to erase Jewish concerns for party advantage.

They warn that the surge in anti-Jewish hate crimes since the Oct. 7 attacks makes such endorsements especially dangerous. The article argues that while partisan loyalty is common, it should not come at the expense of tolerating Jew-hatred.