Full Breakdown
Sander Levin Endorses Abdul El-Sayed for Michigan Senate Seat Amid Israel-Policy Rift
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Retired U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), a 95-year-old veteran of Michigan’s Jewish Democratic politics, publicly endorsed Dr. Abdul El-Sayed for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday night. Levin said he would back El-Sayed “for all Michiganders of conscience” despite “significant disagreement” with the candidate’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The endorsement arrives as Michigan’s roughly 100,000 Jewish voters remain divided over El-Sayed’s reluctance to endorse a two-state solution and his past association with left-wing commentator Hasan Piker.
Background & Context
Michigan’s Senate race is a pivotal contest for Democrats seeking to flip the chamber. The seat is open after Sen. Gary Peters announced retirement. The state’s two Democratic senators—Elissa Slotkin and the retiring Gary Peters—have urged colleagues to support El-Sayed, underscoring the race’s strategic importance. Within the Jewish community, some leaders argue that the threat posed by a potential Trump-aligned administration outweighs concerns about El-Sayed’s Israel policy, while others view his positions as “non-negotiable.”
Official Statements & Responses
Levin’s X post emphasized his long-standing advocacy for a two-state solution, noting that El-Sayed “has not supported this approach.” He also condemned what he described as “the GOP’s terrible anti-Muslim bigotry.”
El-Sayed, appearing on Fox 2 Detroit, disavowed Hasan Piker’s remarks that framed pro-Israel advocacy as a target for violence, stating, “I disavowed them entirely.”
A coalition of national Jewish Democrats—including former Sen. Al Franken, former AJWS CEO Ruth Messinger, and Michigan-based officials Margo Schlanger and Samuel Bagenstos—issued a letter endorsing El-Sayed.
Criticism & Opposition
Jewish voters and community leaders continue to voice reservations. A coalition of Michigan rabbis has petitioned El-Sayed to address “non-negotiables” before engaging in dialogue, and the candidate has not yet responded directly. Hundreds of Jewish residents have displayed yard signs urging a vote for GOP opponent Mike Rogers, labeling his platform as “against antisemitism.” Rep. Haley Stevens, the primary opponent, also endorsed El-Sayed after the primary, highlighting intra-party fractures.
Data & Statistics
- Michigan’s Jewish electorate is estimated at approximately 100,000 voters.
- The Senate race is one of several key contests Democrats must win to achieve a majority in the 100-seat chamber, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage.
Why It Matters / Impact
Levin’s endorsement signals a willingness among some senior Jewish Democrats to prioritize broader Democratic goals—such as retaining the Senate seat and countering a potential Trump resurgence—over strict alignment on Israel policy. The split within the Jewish community illustrates tension between traditional pro-Israel advocacy and emerging progressive critiques of U.S. Middle-East policy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have some significant disagreement with Abdul in his approach to the conflict involving Israel and the Palestinians,” — Sander Levin
- “We’ve done something good today, and we need to keep that going in the future,” — Abdul El-Sayed