Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) accused Democrats running in the Michigan Senate race of “trying to out-left each other” on their Israel stances. 

Prominent Democratic candidates for Senate in Michigan include Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed, all of whom have varying stances on Israel. 

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Rogers, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2024 but appears to be the likely GOP nominee again in 2026, in an interview with Punchbowl News, said, “It is very short-sighted and politically naive to walk in and say we’re not going to allow Israel to defend itself.” 

Stevens is viewed as the favorite among Democratic leadership, having earned the endorsement of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and been in discussions with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. She has remained firm in her support for Israel throughout her time in Congress and during her Senate campaign. Stevens has received a large amount from the pro-Israel PAC, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.

Other pro-Israel groups have seen McMorrow as another pro-Israel ally in the race. She has publicly called for AIPAC to stay out of the race.

“I think they understand the shifting dynamics not only in Michigan but around the country and the world,” McMorrow told Punchbowl News. “People are very attuned to the deep influence PACs have that outweighs the influence of people and voters.”

El-Sayad was connected with the “uncommitted” movement during last year’s Democratic primary. Those in the movement viewed it as a way to show then-President Joe Biden how many Democrats wanted him to alter his support for Israel during their war against Hamas in Gaza. He has called for halting U.S. military aid to Israel.

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Israel’s war in Gaza has created sharp divides within the Democratic Party over the past two years.

The candidates are running to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).