El-Sayed lost Jewish support over Israel, antisemitism, but got over 50% of Jewish votes - report

Newly elected Michigan Democratic Senator Abdul El-Sayed received less support from Jewish voters than other Democrats, according to a Politico report. In heavily Jewish Huntington Woods, he got 65.3% of the vote vs. 80% for Governor-elect Benson. El-Sayed apologized in August for comments after a synagogue attack and told Politico he hopes to earn Jewish support on shared issues.

Newly elected Michigan Democratic Senator Abdul El-Sayed received less support from Jewish voters than other Democrats in the state, according to a Politico report published Friday. In heavily Jewish areas like Huntington Woods, where about 67% of residents are Jewish, El-Sayed got 65.3% of the vote compared to 80% for Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson. In West Bloomfield, where a quarter of residents are Jewish, he ran 8.8 points behind Benson. El-Sayed apologized in August for comments he made after an attack on a synagogue in West Bloomfield, in which he wrote that "hurt people hurt people" and referenced the attacker's family loss in an Israeli airstrike. Community leaders called his statements offensive. El-Sayed told Politico he hopes to earn support from Jewish voters on issues they agree on, but will not change his position on Israel. About 25% of Jewish voters who supported the previous Democratic candidate in 2024 switched to Republican Mike Rogers.