SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. – Senate candidate Haley Stevens frequently emphasizes her dedication to manufacturing, her stances against former President Donald Trump, and her belief that she is the Democrat best positioned to secure victory in Michigan. However, she has been notably reticent about the pro-Israel group that has invested heavily in her campaign.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its affiliated organizations have poured nearly $30 million into supporting Stevens, marking their largest financial commitment ever to a single race. Their aim is to thwart progressive contender Abdul El-Sayed in the upcoming Aug. 4 primary.
Despite the significant spending, Stevens has largely sidestepped direct discussions about AIPAC. During a campaign stop in West Michigan, when asked about the organization, she spoke extensively—over 800 words—without mentioning AIPAC even once. The topic of Israel arose only briefly, with her advocating for U.S.-Israel collaboration to rebuild Gaza.
“Anyone who supported me is supporting me because of my dedication to the people of Michigan, and the things that I have done for Michiganders,” Stevens stated to The Associated Press when questioned about AIPAC’s support.
This dynamic underscores the politically sensitive nature of AIPAC within the Democratic Party, particularly as divisions over U.S. support for Israel have intensified amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. AIPAC strives to elect lawmakers who endorse its mission of fortifying the U.S.-Israel relationship and promoting policies it believes enhance the security of both nations.
AIPAC did not respond to requests for comment, and the organization’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, also declined to provide statements.
The implications are particularly significant in Michigan, which boasts the largest Arab American population in the United States. Beyond state lines, El-Sayed’s progressive allies are framing the upcoming race as a crucial test of whether grassroots efforts can overcome unprecedented levels of outside financial influence.
“One of the laws of nature in politics is whoever spends the most money wins,” remarked New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who recently campaigned for El-Sayed in Michigan.
“It is an opportunity to show that things other than money can win in America.”
Stevens’ campaign has allocated $1 million towards advertising, while her supporters have contributed an astonishing $50 million. In the latest fundraising period leading up to June 30, Stevens raised half of what El-Sayed did. Her campaign asserted that they were securing the necessary resources to triumph in this race.
Initially, Stevens spent a mere $12,000 of her own funds on advertising through early July, before escalating it to nearly $1 million, according to AdImpact. Meanwhile, outside organizations have channeled close to $50 million to bolster her candidacy. Notably, one group, A Stronger Michigan, has spent around $12 million without disclosing its donors.
El-Sayed has positioned AIPAC’s influence and the substantial financial backing for Stevens as central themes of his campaign, accusing Stevens of acting as a mouthpiece for wealthy donors.
“She is nothing more than an employee of these billionaires,” asserted Senator Bernie Sanders, who joined El-Sayed at rallies in Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids over the weekend.
In response to concerns about campaign financing, Stevens has stated her support for “comprehensive campaign finance reform.”
Most voters in Michigan may not realize that many of the ads saturating the airwaves are funded by AIPAC. These advertisements do not explicitly mention Israel; instead, they focus on Stevens’ work in manufacturing and feature former President Barack Obama.
“AIPAC never runs on AIPAC. They never even talk about Israel and Palestine,” commented former Representative Andy Levin, who was defeated by Stevens in a 2022 Democratic primary after redistricting. “If you’re just a voter and you see a million ads, you don’t know who paid for it.”
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has precipitated a stark divide on Israel, particularly in a state with significant Muslim and Jewish populations.
As the Democratic candidates have adopted sharply contrasting positions regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza, AIPAC’s surge in spending has coincided with these developments. Though Stevens is not Jewish, she has consistently been a vocal supporter of Israel, identifying as a “proud pro-Israel Democrat” and once stating during a Hanukkah celebration that “Israel comes to me in my dreams.”
Stevens has also taken a critical stance against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring during a recent debate that he “has not made us safer, has not brought us closer to peace, and he’s endangered Jews here in America and around the world.”
In contrast, El-Sayed has openly criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, labeling it a “genocide” and describing the Israeli government as “evil.” He has consistently argued that AIPAC’s influence distorts the political landscape for Democrats.
“The reason that we’ve seen this war fought is because of the impact of AIPAC in our politics,” El-Sayed emphasized during a recent debate.
The war in Gaza has escalated since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and 251 hostages. In retaliation, Israel has reportedly killed over 73,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
If elected, El-Sayed would make history as the first Muslim U.S. senator. He has recently addressed concerns regarding whether his faith would affect his electability in a battleground state like Michigan.
“When they raise questions about my ‘electability,’ they are usually pointing to the most obvious thing about me that makes me ‘different’ — that’s my name and my Muslim faith,” he wrote in an email to supporters. “Faith, to me, isn’t just about an identity. It’s about the choices that I make every single day about how I live my life.”
El-Sayed has invested approximately $3.2 million from his campaign funds on advertising, alongside around $1 million in outside spending. His campaign has prioritized grassroots organizing, claiming to have recruited over 10,000 volunteers statewide.
In contrast, Stevens’ campaign stated they have “hundreds” of volunteers across Michigan.
“This election will come down to the many versus the money,” El-Sayed declared.
The divide within the Democratic Party extends beyond Michigan, with traditional support for Israel waning among certain factions due to the fallout from the Gaza conflict. As criticism of AIPAC has intensified, the political landscape is evolving.
Just last week, 103 House Democrats voted unsuccessfully to block $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel, marking a significant indicator of the party’s internal divisions. Among those voting against the aid was New York Representative Pat Ryan, who had previously supported it and received backing from AIPAC.
“I expect groups like AIPAC will not support me in my future elections and frankly, I don’t want their support,” Ryan stated on social media, later indicating he would return donations from AIPAC.
This tension is also reflected in the ongoing Senate race in Michigan. Democratic activists have pressured Senator Elissa Slotkin to adopt a firmer stance regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. Slotkin, who is Jewish, had distanced herself from AIPAC in prior years and narrowly defeated Republican Mike Rogers by fewer than 20,000 votes in the last election.
While the issue remains contentious for Democrats, some analysts question whether it will ultimately influence the voting behavior of the majority of primary voters, who may prioritize economic concerns over foreign policy issues.
“It’s not that Democratic primary voters love AIPAC. They obviously don’t,” observed Michigan political strategist Adrian Hemond. “But this doesn’t even register as an issue that’s influencing voting behavior for the overwhelming majority of primary voters.”
