ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

JULY 30, 2026 15:41

Updated: JULY 30, 2026 15:44

The internal Democratic Party discussion on Israel that has taken center stage in Michigan's US Senate primary is now extending its reach to additional contests across the state.

Progressive former county health official Abdul El-Sayed's effort to represent a swing state as a strongly pro-Palestinian senator finds echoes at a smaller level in Michigan's 7th District, among the country's most competitive congressional races. Beyond backing a candidate there, El-Sayed and his allies have targeted a Detroit-area incumbent who recently adopted a pro-Israel stance, while a leading figure from the 2024 Uncommitted movement seeks local office.

Meanwhile a young Jewish candidate aims to carry forward the approach of El-Sayed's Senate rival, centrist US Rep. Haley Stevens, and counter a national pattern of Democrats stepping back from Israel support. Jewish Democrats in the state, many shifting away from the party amid the primary discourse, are observing with attention.

Here is a look at how Israel and Jewish issues are playing out in other Michigan primary races on Tuesday.

A swing district Democrats aim to capture enters the Israel discussion

Far-left and centrist Democrats vie for Michigan seats that could define the party's direction

In Michigan's 7th District, William Lawrence, a former climate activist who advocates ending all military aid to Israel, faces two centrist Democrats in the party primary.

The district, running from the state capitol in Lansing through Detroit suburbs and including Michigan State University, is held by a Republican. Democrats see it as a strong opportunity; the seat was previously occupied by Jewish Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who secured her Senate win in 2024 even as Donald Trump carried the state.

Lawrence's campaign departs from Slotkin's moderate style. He recently joined El-Sayed, independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a Lansing event, where he urged an end to arming Israel and redirecting funds toward housing and social security.

His main primary opponents, former US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and former Navy SEAL and Obama military aide Matt Maasdam, avoided labeling Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide during a candidate forum, unlike Lawrence. Polling from Brink-backed firms shows her leading, while an April survey from the Lawrence-aligned Data For Progress gives him a 6-point edge. Lawrence's nomination chances depend on Brink and Maasdam dividing the establishment support.

Like many progressives this cycle, opposition to Israel forms a core element of Lawrence's message, which his team views as viable despite the district's mixed political character.

His campaign stated to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that broad backing exists for halting military support to human rights violators and redirecting resources to create jobs, housing, and healthcare domestically.

Lawrence co-founded the climate group Sunrise Movement, which has seen internal conflict over pro-Palestinian positions. His comments on Israel contributed to a major campaign controversy when 2024 podcast remarks criticizing Black Democratic leaders resurfaced before his recent high-profile rally.

The Congressional Black Caucus denounced the remarks and urged supporters to withdraw backing. Lawrence later clarified he was expressing concern over the situation in Gaza and efforts to mobilize Black Americans against it. Ocasio-Cortez attended the Lansing rally but has not endorsed him.

Fewer than 10,000 Jews reside in the greater Lansing area out of 479,000 total residents, per a 2021 Brandeis University report. Local Jewish groups voiced concern over El-Sayed's events: when he hosted streamer Hasan Piker at MSU earlier this year, the university's Hillel called the appearance troubling.

Responding to questions on Jewish constituent safety, Lawrence's campaign said he takes the issue seriously and opposes antisemitism, which appears across the political spectrum. The Brink and Maasdam campaigns did not reply to inquiries.

After shifting from DSA to pro-Israel positions, this Detroit congressman defends his seat

Michigan contests signal evolving political dynamics

Why does a Detroit-area matchup between two non-Jewish candidates in a district with limited Jewish population center on Israel? It highlights current divisions within left-leaning politics.

In Michigan's 13th District, covering much of Detroit and western suburbs, state Rep. Donavan McKinney challenges incumbent US Rep. Shri Thanedar for the Democratic nomination. A Democratic Socialists of America member endorsed by El-Sayed and national pro-Palestinian figures, McKinney's materials emphasize kitchen-table concerns such as public health in Detroit.

His website also features a prominent Palestine section pledging to end military aid to Israel and calling for release of detained Palestinians.

As a Black candidate facing an Indian-American incumbent in a majority-Black district, McKinney highlights racial representation and links Black identity with the pro-Palestinian cause, aligning with other local activists.

McKinney's focus may resonate against Thanedar, who moved from left to center on Israel. A businessman and unsuccessful 2018 gubernatorial candidate alongside El-Sayed, Thanedar was once a DSA member and co-sponsored 2021 legislation to end US military support for Israel.

He reversed course during his 2022 congressional bid in a district previously held by Palestinian-American Rep. Rashida Tlaib, adopting pro-Israel positions despite AIPAC backing an opponent. He largely self-funded his successful run.

In Congress, Thanedar joined an AIPAC trip to Israel and became a firm pro-Israel voice. After the October 7, 2023 attacks, he left DSA, citing a New York rally by the group that he described as hateful and antisemitic.

He called the attacks the largest murder of Jews since the Holocaust in comments to the Michigan Advance and criticized Tlaib's response. AIPAC, previously opposed, spent over 2 million dollars on his 2024 reelection and is raising funds again, though recent data shows limited spending compared to other races.

The contest appears tight. Limited polling shows Thanedar ahead by 4 points in one progressive survey. On Monday several Congressional Black Caucus members endorsed McKinney against the incumbent, including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Summer Lee, both strong Israel critics.

Neither campaign responded to JTA comment requests.

A young Jewish LGBTQ legislator may carry forward Stevens' pro-Israel stance

As Jewish Democrats in Oakland County, the affluent and heavily Jewish Detroit suburbs, express concern over state Democratic shifts toward anti-Israel rhetoric, many see hope in state Sen. Jeremy Moss, who seeks Stevens' congressional seat in the 11th District.

Moss, a Jewish pro-Israel candidate, focuses his platform on standard liberal priorities like gun safety, cost of living, and LGBTQ rights. He holds endorsements from many leading state Democrats. His website omits Israel and antisemitism but he has strongly condemned antisemitism in both parties.

In a 2024 state Senate floor speech, Moss noted that most Jews support a Jewish homeland and criticized the use of terms like colonizer or Zionist as slurs while ignoring the meaning of Jewish holidays.

He again addressed left-wing antisemitism after the Temple Israel attack in West Bloomfield. Following the state Democratic convention, where a pro-Palestinian encampment lawyer with a history of praising Hezbollah won nomination for the University of Michigan board of regents, Moss deemed it unacceptable and said he would not support the nominee.

Many district Jews who support Stevens also praise Moss, though AIPAC has spent little on his race per recent data. Democratic Majority for Israel and former AIPAC leaders made small contributions.

Moss appears positioned to win the primary due to superior fundraising and recognition. Some pro-Palestinian progressives back Aisha Farooqi, who calls for halting military aid to Israel, but her effort has not matched the traction of other candidates. Fringe candidate Don Ufford created a site targeting Moss.

If Moss wins the primary and general, he would restore Jewish representation to the heavily Jewish district for the first time since former US Rep. Andy Levin lost to Stevens in 2022. Levin, a progressive, backs El-Sayed in the Senate race.

An Uncommitted founder returns with major Democratic backing

Anti-Israel candidates pursue local positions

Further down the ballot, a key organizer of Michigan's 2024 Uncommitted movement to pressure Democrats on Israel is running for state Senate as a Democrat.

Abbas Alawieh, a Lebanese-American former staffer for Levin and Tlaib, seeks local office after gaining prominence for urging Democrats to vote Uncommitted against former President Joe Biden in the 2024 primary. The effort, originally Listen to Michigan, stemmed largely from dissatisfaction with Biden's Israel policy in Gaza.