Michigan Democratic Senate Primary: Israel, AIPAC, and the Hasan Piker Factor
The Democratic primary for the Senate in Michigan is heavily centered on Israel's policies, with centrist organizations targeting progressive streamer Hasan Piker for his support of Palestinian rights. On April 7, Piker joined Abdul El-Sayed at campaign rallies. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, the Third Way group, led by Jonathan Cowan and Lily Cohen, labeled Piker as antisemitic and urged El-Sayed to distance himself from him. Senator Elissa Slotkin also voiced her disapproval of Piker. Key candidates include El-Sayed, endorsed by Bernie Sanders; Representative Haley Stevens, backed by AIPAC; and State Senator Mallory McMorrow. A Data for Progress poll indicates a tight race: El-Sayed at 22%, Stevens at 23%, and McMorrow at 22%. In Q1, McMorrow raised over $3 million.
Key facts
- Hasan Piker campaigned with Abdul El-Sayed at University of Michigan and Michigan State University on April 7.
- Third Way group sent a letter to El-Sayed with six questions about Piker's statements.
- Poll shows three-way dead heat: El-Sayed 22%, Stevens 23%, McMorrow 22%, undecided 33%.
- McMorrow raised $3 million in Q1, El-Sayed $2.3 million, Stevens $2 million.
- Stevens was booed at the Michigan Democratic Party convention in Detroit.
- Eli Savit won attorney general primary against Karen McDonald.
- Amir Makled defeated incumbent Jordan Acker for University of Michigan regent.
- Voters under 40 support El-Sayed by 17 points; over 50 support McMorrow by 12 points.
Entities
Institutions
- Third Way
- The Bulwark
- Wall Street Journal
- Politico
- New York Times
- Jewish Insider
- The Intercept
- Emerson College Polling
- Zeteo
- Drop Site News
- Data for Progress
- Michigan Chronicle
- Federal Election Commission
- Michigan Advance
- Michigan Public Radio
- The Guardian
- AIPAC
- J Street
- Democratic National Committee
- University of Michigan
- Michigan State University
- Huntington Place
- Wayne County
- Royal Oak
- Oakland County
- Keego Harbor
- Ann Arbor
- Detroit
- Canton
Locations
- Michigan
- United States
- University of Michigan
- Michigan State University
- Detroit
- Canton
- Royal Oak
- Oakland County
- Keego Harbor
- Ann Arbor
- Wayne County
- Israel
- Iran
- Gaza
- New York
- Washington, DC
- Kentucky