Michigan Senate debate: Rogers claims Jewish Democrats fear El-Sayed

Republican US Senate candidate Mike Rogers claimed during Michigan's final televised debate Wednesday that Jewish Democrats are "literally afraid" of his opponent, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, citing alleged fears for their children's safety due to El-Sayed's rhetoric. Rogers repeated the claim in his closing statement, asserting Jews were among Democrats defecting to him because they find El-Sayed "too extreme." El-Sayed did not directly address Jewish voters, instead citing a New York Times report that AIPAC plans up to $9 million in spending on a pro-Rogers super PAC. The debate also covered Iran, with El-Sayed defending the Obama-era nuclear deal and Rogers accusing him of failing to condemn the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Rogers continued attacks on El-Sayed's alleged Muslim Brotherhood ties, which El-Sayed denied. Both campaigns have intensified Jewish voter outreach, with some local rabbis expressing skepticism toward El-Sayed.