American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)’s $9 Million Late-Money Push in Michigan’s 2026 Senate Race

The United Democracy Project (UDP), AIPAC’s super-PAC, routed up to $9 million to the Great Lakes Conservatives Fund, a super-PAC supporting Rep. Mike Rogers in the Michigan U.S. Senate contest. The transfer occurred after the October 14 deadline, so the spending will not appear on public filings until after the November 3 election. The money funds a $4.6 million media buy targeting Rogers’s opponent, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.

New York Times

AIPAC announced it will cease endorsing candidates and making direct contributions through its political action committee, while retaining UDP for unlimited independent expenditures. The shift follows scrutiny after AIPAC’s $33 million effort in the Democratic primary that sought to defeat El-Sayed and support Rep. Haley Stevens. Michigan’s Senate seat opened when Sen. Gary Peters announced he would not seek a third term, turning the race into a key battleground for the 2026 midterms. Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat since 1994; a win would bring the GOP’s Senate margin to 53-47.

Newsweek

• Polling: Recent surveys show a tight race, with El-Sayed and Rogers each hovering around 48-50 % support.

Newsweek

• Prediction markets: Polymarket and Kalshi price El-Sayed’s chance of winning near 70 %.

Newsweek

• Early voting: In-person voting runs October 24–November 1.

Newsweek

• Absentee ballots: 789,476 of more than 2.1 million requested absentee ballots have been returned.

Newsweek

• AIPAC spending: Through September 30, AIPAC contributed nearly $25 million to candidates and committees in 2026, while UDP has spent $53.5 million on independent expenditures.

Newsweek

Spokesperson Deryn Sousa said, “Our mission and strategy remain the same.”

NOTUS

Rep. Mike Rogers, after initially resisting AIPAC’s involvement, told reporters he would “take all of that help.”

Newsweek

Sen. Bernie Sanders, outraged by the $9 million push, transferred $1 million to El-Sayed’s campaign and launched a fundraising drive to counter AIPAC’s spending.

New York Times

Democratic strategist Doug Gordon argued that AIPAC’s brand has become “toxic” within Democratic politics, citing the group’s role in the primary and the current general-election effort.

NOTUS

• “We're doing exceptionally well with Jewish Democrats who are literally afraid,” — Rep. Mike Rogers

Newsweek

• “Our mission and strategy remain the same,” — Deryn Sousa, spokesperson

NOTUS

Newsweek reports the $9 million originated from AIPAC donors routed through UDP, while Latintimes’ FEC analysis indicates the “Together for Michigan” super-PAC received its largest donations from conservative-aligned groups such as the Great Lakes Conservatives Fund and American Unity PAC. The precise proportion of AIPAC-directed versus broader conservative funding remains unclear, as does the timing of the $4.6 million media buy relative to Election Day.

NOTUS

Early in-person voting will take place October 24–November 1, with the election on November 3. Voters will not see UDP’s contribution on filing records until after the polls close, leaving the full impact of the $9 million spend uncertain as the race heads to the ballot.

Newsweek