AIPAC Mulls Major Funding Push for Republican Senate Candidate in Michigan

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is weighing a “major financial campaign” to back Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers in the upcoming Michigan general election. The consideration follows AIPAC’s super PAC spending $32 million in the recent Democratic primary to support Representative Haley Stevens against Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel. After Dr. El-Sayed’s primary victory, AIPAC’s leadership signaled willingness to shift resources toward the Republican ticket, with insiders describing the prospective outlay as “tens of millions of dollars.”

New York Times

AIPAC has traditionally portrayed itself as bipartisan, entering federal election spending only in 2022. The organization’s primary-season effort in Michigan represented its largest single-phase investment to date, yet it failed to prevent Dr. El-Sayed’s win. Federal Election Commission filings show AIPAC’s main super PAC, United Democracy Project, held roughly $80 million at the end of June. Backing a Republican in a competitive swing-state race would mark a notable departure from the group’s recent bipartisan positioning.

New York Times

In a separate interview, Patrick Dorton, a spokesman for United Democracy Project, said no formal decision on spending had been made, emphasizing that discussions were ongoing among the organization’s major backers.

New York Times

• “Our members remain determined to ensure that voters reject Dr. El-Sayed and his radical anti-Israel agenda in November,” — Deryn Sousa, a spokeswoman for AIPAC

New York Times

If AIPAC channels significant funds to Mike Rogers, the move could reshape the dynamics of the Michigan Senate race, injecting a high-profile pro-Israel endorsement into a pivotal swing-state contest. Analysts note that such a shift would be “extraordinary” for an organization that has long sought to influence both parties, potentially signaling a strategic recalibration in response to the primary outcome. The ultimate scale and timing of any contribution remain uncertain pending internal deliberations.

New York Times