LANSING, Mich. (VINnews) — Roughly 500 Michigan residents who identify as Jewish Democrats or independents have signed an open letter supporting Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers and warning that Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has introduced what they call “anti-Jewish elements” into the party.​

The letter describes Rogers, a former U.S. representative making his second consecutive Senate bid, as a “friend to the Jewish community.” Signatories say they feel threatened and alienated by El-Sayed’s politics and alliances. They caution that an El-Sayed victory could allow far-left and anti-Jewish factions to gain lasting influence inside the Democratic Party, including heading into the 2028 presidential contest. The letter states that the endorsement applies only to this Senate race and does not require agreement with Rogers on every issue or support for President Donald Trump.​

Michigan Republican Party Chairman Jim Runestad told Fox News Digital that El-Sayed’s comments and associations, including ties to online streamer Hasan Piker, are “striking fear into the Jewish community.” Runestad said he believes the backlash could produce a lasting shift among Jewish voters toward Republicans, not only in this race. He pointed to outreach in Oakland County, home to a substantial Jewish population, and said Republicans see an opening because of shared views on entrepreneurship, taxes and regulation.​

A Rogers campaign source said inboxes have been inundated with supportive messages from Jewish voters and that fundraising events with those donors have gone well. Rogers narrowly lost Michigan’s other Senate race in 2024 by fewer than 20,000 votes. Analysts note the state’s Jewish adult population is estimated in the tens of thousands, enough to matter in a close contest.​

El-Sayed’s campaign has pushed back. Spokesman Cole Wozniak said the candidate is grateful for conversations with Jewish leaders and will keep engaging communities to build a coalition capable of defeating Rogers. El-Sayed has strong support among Michigan’s Arab American voters, particularly in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, which helped him in the Democratic primary. That backing could offset Jewish defections.​

A separate letter organized by liberal Jewish leaders and billed as Michigan Jews for Democracy has drawn more than 600 to 800 signatures pledging support for El-Sayed. Some of those signers say they have reservations about his approach to Israel and the language used by some allies, but they argue he is the better choice compared with Rogers. High-profile names on that letter have included former Reps. Sander and Andy Levin.

The split reflects a broader tension in Michigan’s Jewish community over El-Sayed’s criticism of Israel, his opposition to a two-state solution in some statements, and his association with Piker, whose comments on Israel and other topics have drawn accusations of antisemitism. El-Sayed has called some of Piker’s remarks “dumb” and said he will stand up for the safety and dignity of Jewish families even when he disagrees on foreign policy. Critics, including some Democrats, have also questioned a recent Rosh Hashanah video featuring El-Sayed with two Jewish women who have pro-Palestinian records.​

The Nov. 3 election for the open Senate seat is expected to be competitive and could help determine control of the U.S. Senate. Jewish communal leaders on both sides of the letter campaign say the vote is about safety and the direction of the Democratic Party as much as it is about any single candidate.​