AIPAC’s super PAC starts spending again in the Michigan Senate race

A super PAC tied to the pro‑Israel group AIPAC has resumed spending in Michigan’s critical Senate race, funding new mailers targeting Democrat Abdul El‑Sayed, according to a new campaign‑finance report. The mailers, delivered in the last two weeks before the November election, aim to remind voters that El‑Sayed has questioned U.S. policy toward Israel in the past. The super PAC’s spending jumps back into a race that could decide the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.

The Michigan Senate contest is a bellwether for the national political climate. El‑Sayed, the former Detroit mayor and Michigan attorney general, is running against Republican Mike Rogers, a former U.S. Representative. Both candidates have strong local support, but the seat is a key pickup target for Democrats, who hope to flip control of the Senate after the 2022 midterms. AIPAC has long targeted U.S. elections, backing candidates who pledge robust support for Israel, and its new activity follows a pause that began in early 2023 when the group shifted focus to other races.

The finance filing shows the super PAC spent $12,500 on a series of mailers that highlight El‑Sayed’s past criticisms of Israel‑U.S. relations, including a 2019 statement about the Gaza blockade. AIPAC’s spokesperson said the organization “continues to support candidates who are unequivocal in their commitment to Israel’s security.” El‑Sayed’s campaign spokesperson declined to comment, but the candidate’s team has warned that the mailers are part of a broader effort to paint him as weak on foreign policy. The Republican side welcomed the attack, with Rogers’ campaign tweeting that the mailers “reinforce the need for a strong, pro‑Israel voice in Washington.”

With the election just weeks away, the super PAC is likely to continue its push. The Senate seat could be a tipping point for control of the chamber, and any shift in Michigan’s vote could influence the Senate’s ability to pass legislation on everything from defense spending to climate policy. The race will be closely watched as both sides mobilize voters and the AIPAC‑linked PAC seeks to sway undecided voters in a state that has swung between parties in recent cycles.