Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, has sparked controversy by labeling donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) a form of "bribery." He claims that next week AIPAC will spend at least $3,847,990 against him, asserting that his opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, is more committed to the future of a foreign country than to keeping tax dollars in Michigan for education and healthcare.
El-Sayed's post on X raises questions about foreign interests in American elections and whether his criticisms could be applied to other groups. Chuck Ross, an investigative reporter, noted that El-Sayed's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this matter.
Israel and its influence in American politics have been a key theme in the Michigan Senate primary. Rep. Stevens, who has received an endorsement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, has criticized El-Sayed for questioning the U.S.-Israel alliance amid the conflict with Hamas. El-Sayed, however, maintains that the Israel lobby has amassed too much power in U.S. elections, preventing candidates from questioning the partnership or the circumstances under which the U.S. should withhold its assistance.
El-Sayed has faced criticism for not releasing his tax returns, claiming that his family's foreign assets have delayed the process. His candidate report disclosures filed in June 2025 revealed a modest foreign asset, including a holding worth up to $15,000 in real estate in India. His net worth is estimated to be between $580,000 and $1.7 million, with a salary from Wayne County worth $278,900.
