Jewish Democrats back Michigan A-G Dana Nessel’s decision to skip state party convention

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish, said she will skip the state Democratic Party's nominating convention over antisemitism concerns. Jewish Democrats, including caucus chair Jessica Alexander and JDCA CEO Halie Soifer, expressed sympathy. Nessel cited a party official who called her a neo-Nazi and fears of harassment. The convention will finalize the Senate candidate in a primary between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, with AIPAC reportedly spending $30 million against El-Sayed.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the state's Jewish attorney general, announced she will skip the Michigan Democratic Party's nominating convention next month, citing concerns about antisemitism and harassment. Her decision has drawn sympathy from local and national Jewish Democrats. Nessel said during a televised antisemitism roundtable that she does not feel safe attending, fearing harassment and being booed. She also filed a formal complaint about a party official who called her a neo-Nazi. The convention will finalize the party's Senate candidate in a primary between Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, a democratic socialist critical of Israel. El-Sayed is surging in polls despite a reported $30 million spent against him by AIPAC. The decision follows turmoil at an April convention where Stevens was booed and an attendee targeted a candidate's Jewish husband with an antisemitic slur. Jewish Democratic Council of America CEO Halie Soifer said Nessel is not alone in her discomfort, citing concerns from other Jewish Democrats. Michigan Jewish Democratic caucus chair Jessica Alexander expressed understanding, saying she would attend but acknowledged different stakes for elected officials.