Michigan Democrats Split Ahead Of Senate Vote

Michigan voters head to the polls on Nov. 3, with Democrats still divided over Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Party members are debating his criticism of Israel, past associations, and an ad from an independent group linking U.S. support for Israel to grocery prices. President Donald Trump's actions, the war in Iran, and high costs remain issues for Republicans.

Election Day is one week away. Jason Turkish, the fiance of former primary opponent Rep. Haley Stevens, said he would vote for Republican Mike Rogers. Stevens appeared on CNN to confirm she is voting for El-Sayed. She urged the campaign to "shut out the hate and call it out" and to "make people who are in my coalition.. feel comfortable about coming to the polls." Stevens drew support from Jewish and Black voters during the primary.

Rabbi Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield said tensions have increased. "We are one week away from the election, and it feels like the temperature has turned way up," Starr said. "Instead of things getting better over the last seven weeks, they've actually gotten worse." Starr criticized both the Rebellion PAC advertisement and El-Sayed's campaign ad.

El-Sayed said the Rebellion PAC ad is "certainly not what I want to be talking about right now." He said the ad "has nothing to do with our campaign." Stevens and other Democrats asked him to denounce the content rather than just distance himself from it. El-Sayed has sought to build support among college students and rural residents since the primary.

Rogers has remained close to Trump on most issues. He appeared with the president at a rally in Michigan on Sunday. El-Sayed held events in heavily Republican areas, including Michigan's Upper Peninsula. His campaign released an ad featuring praise from conservative figures, including Tucker Carlson.