How much has AIPAC spent against Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed? And why?
AIPAC's election arm has spent over $30 million in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary to support Congresswoman Haley Stevens against progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is critical of Israeli policies. Total spending by AIPAC and allied groups exceeds $54 million, with additional dark-money contributions bringing the figure above $60 million.
The Democratic primary race for Michigan's US Senate seat has become a focal point for debate over pro-Israel advocacy group spending and influence in American electoral politics. The contest pits progressive epidemiologist and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed against four-term Congresswoman Haley Stevens, with the winner positioned to face Republican former Congressman Mike Rogers in the general election.
AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has deployed unprecedented financial resources to support Stevens and oppose El-Sayed, whose public health background and progressive platform include criticism of unconditional military aid to Israel. According to Federal Election Commission records, AIPAC's election arm, United Democracy Project, has spent more than $30.6 million on the race as of the most recent reporting period. This represents a record expenditure for the organization, which has increasingly mobilized its financial capacity to defeat candidates opposing its policy positions.
The total financial commitment to the race extends well beyond AIPAC's direct spending. Political action committees and other groups aligned with Stevens have collectively spent more than $54 million, according to FEC filings. An additional dark-money organization called the Center for Democratic Priorities has contributed approximately $6.5 million in advertising support for Stevens, bringing the combined total to over $60 million. The Center for Democratic Priorities has not disclosed its funding sources to the FEC.
El-Sayed's campaign has mobilized grassroots opposition to the spending, with supporters at rallies denouncing AIPAC's financial influence. State legislator Alabas Farhat and Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar appeared at campaign events, framing the race as a test of whether voters would reject what they characterized as excessive spending on behalf of policies they oppose. The primary has become emblematic of broader tensions within the Democratic Party regarding Israel policy and the role of organized advocacy groups in shaping electoral outcomes.
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