Why Media Obsess Over Jewish Defections

Over an election night that brought big wins for Democrats across the country, Abdul El-Sayed comfortably won his Michigan Senate race against Mike Rogers, despite prognostications that many Jewish Democrats would flip to Rogers because of El-Sayed’s unapologetic pro-Palestine stance and the eleventh-hour endorsement of Rogers by the staunchly pro-Israel Democrat Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the primary. Some heavily Jewish Michigan districts did post softer numbers for El-Sayed compared to the 2024 vote for Kamala Harris or this election’s vote for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson, but the mass defection did not materialize, with El-Sayed garnering 60% of the Jewish vote, by some accounts. El-Sayed triumphed over around $42 million in AIPAC spending against him over the course of his campaign, as well as blatantly Islamophobic attacks by Rogers and Donald Trump claiming El-Sayed would implement sharia law. He also bested efforts from the Jewish establishment, which came together under the banner of a new organization called Nonnegotiable, threatening to withhold their votes unless El-Sayed changed his tune on Israel. He did not, and—buoyed by the Muslim, Black, and youth vote—he is heading to the US Senate.

Our news desk has been reporting from the ground in Michigan this election cycle (sign up here to get their newsletter in your inbox!). On this episode of On the Nose, Jewish Currents news director Josh Nathan-Kazis and senior reporter Alex Kane join Arielle Angel for an examination of the Michigan election, and the ways pro-Israel actors showed their weakness.

Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for editing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”

Links and Further Reading

“In Michigan, the Pro-Palestine Movement Claims Its Biggest Prize Yet,” Mari Cohen and Alex Kane, Jewish Currents

“The Election Cycle That Shattered the Pro-Israel Consensus,” Alex Kane, Jewish Currents

“Could Jewish Democrats Actually Cost Abdul El-Sayed a Senate Seat?,” Mari Cohen, Alex Kane, and Josh Nathan-Kazis, Jewish Currents

“In the Michigan Senate Race, Mike Rogers Is Stoking Jewish Fear. Will It Work?,” Alex Kane, Jewish Currents

“Who Speaks for Black Voters?,” On the Nose, Jewish Currents

“‘No, Sir!’ MS NOW Focus Group of Black Voters Says They’re Iffy on El-Sayed,” Morning Joe, MS NOW

“Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed apologizes to Michigan Jewish Democrats,” Erum Salam and Nnamdi Egwuonwu, MS NOW

ADL election night statements

“These Michigan rabbis couldn’t move El-Sayed. Undeterred, they’re starting a national movement.,” Andrew Lapin, JTA

“Mamdani Says He Will ‘Discourage’ the Term ‘Globalize the Intifada,’” Emma G. Fitzsimmons and Lauren Hirsch, The New York Times

“El-Sayed distances himself from ad tying Gaza war to increased costs,” Teo Armus, The Washington Post

“On the Michigan Synagogue Attack,” On the Nose, Jewish Currents

“Trump Scrambles to Halt Military Aid to Israel to Deprive El-Sayed of a Talking Point,” Nick Turse, The Intercept

“‘A decision of conscience’: Haley Stevens defends decision to endorse Mike Rogers over Abdul El-Sayed,” Brandon Carr, Click On Detroit

El-Sayed’s ad appealing to Republican voters

Rebellion PAC ad

Hasan Piker realizing 235,000 people were watching his election coverage

“Why Haley Stevens Can’t Stop Talking About Abdul El-Sayed,” Reid J. Epstein, The New York Times

Hannah Einbeinder’s Haley Stevens impression

Transcript forthcoming.