GOP's Mike Rogers weighs AIPAC liability vs. support in high-stakes Michigan Senate race

In Michigan's high-stakes US Senate race, Republican candidate Mike Rogers is reportedly signaling to AIPAC that he prefers the pro-Israel lobbying group to avoid direct spending in his favor. This move aims to prevent opening a line of attack from his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, with whom Rogers is statistically tied. Instead, Rogers' campaign suggests channeling support through alternative avenues, such as a general pro-Rogers super PAC. This strategy highlights a growing concern among pro-Israel groups that their political visibility might be becoming a liability. Dennis Bernard, a Jewish political fundraiser, described Rogers' maneuvering as a “tactical strategy,” noting, “In this changing world, how do you strategically take Jewish money?” Despite this, Rogers continues to attend AIPAC-connected fundraisers and is actively seeking to attract Jewish voters by positioning himself as a fighter against antisemitism, contrasting with El-Sayed's past comments and associations.