Michigan Senate race faces final week of friction as party unity frays

Democratic divisions in the Michigan Senate race have resurfaced in the final days before the election, creating uncertainty about whether internal friction will override voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump. The contest between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers enters its closing week with both sides facing distinct challenges regarding coalition unity and economic concerns.

The latest sign of strain emerged Wednesday when Jason Turkish, the fiancé of former primary opponent Rep. Haley Stevens, announced in The Detroit News that he would vote for Rogers. Hours later, Stevens appeared on CNN to reaffirm her support for El-Sayed, urging the campaign to address internal criticism directly. She said, "Make people who are in my coalition, right, make them feel comfortable about coming to the polls." Stevens, who received strong support from Jewish and Black voters during the primary, has been a vocal critic of the campaign's recent messaging.

Tensions in Michigan’s large Jewish community have persisted for months over El-Sayed’s past remarks on Israel and his association with streamer Hasan Piker. The dispute intensified this week after Rebellion PAC, an independent left-wing group, released an advertisement linking U.S. support for Israel to high grocery prices. El-Sayed stated the ad had nothing to do with his campaign and was not what he wanted to discuss at that time. However, Stevens and other party members urged him to more forcefully denounce the advertisement's content rather than simply distancing himself from it.

Rabbi Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield expressed concern over the escalating political temperature. He noted that conditions have worsened over the last seven weeks instead of improving. Starr criticized both the Rebellion PAC ad and El-Sayed’s own campaign advertisement, which featured clips of conservative figures, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, praising the nominee. Carlson has faced accusations of antisemitism, which he denies, adding another layer of complexity for Jewish voters.

On the Republican side, Rogers has maintained close alignment with Trump on most issues. The two appeared together at a rally in Port Huron on Sunday, where Rogers credited Trump with bringing manufacturing jobs back to the state. Port Huron is located across the river from Canada, a nation with deep economic ties to Michigan that Trump has targeted with tariffs. Rogers also appeared Wednesday with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at an event hosted by the Republican Jewish Coalition in Birmingham. Cruz described antisemitism as a poison ripping the country apart and accused Democrats of being controlled by self-proclaimed communists and Islamists.

Both campaigns are concentrating their final efforts on Black voters, particularly in Wayne County, where Stevens defeated El-Sayed in the primary. El-Sayed is scheduled to campaign in the Detroit area on Sunday alongside Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina. His team has focused on Detroit events to boost turnout. Rogers has also made moves to connect with Black voters, including a visit to a reading remediation program at a Detroit high school and discussions on housing costs in Pontiac.

Rogers’ campaign took a specific approach earlier this month when his wife distributed $10 gift cards at a gas station. The gesture drew mixed reactions from local residents. Ruby Farmer, a 68-year-old Detroit retiree, criticized the tactic, stating that the family would not visit the inner city for any other reason. Despite her critique of the campaign style, Farmer cast her ballot for El-Sayed three weeks ago. She cited the impact of Trump policies on her family, specifically noting that her special-needs son depends on Medicaid, a program she says has faced cuts and benefit holds for home care workers in Michigan.

The election is less than a week away, with both parties aiming to solidify their respective coalitions before voters head to the polls.