El-Sayed split Michigan Democrats. Whether they unify could decide Senate control

Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a student meet and greet in Ann Arbor, Mich., on August 26, 2026. After a bruising Senate primary contest, El-Sayed is working to unite Michigan Democrats. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. — After a contentious primary last month, Michigan Democrats are trying to unify in an effort to hold a Senate seat crucial to reclaiming the majority. Healing the fractures is proving complicated.

The struggle to stitch the party back together spilled into the open again in recent days — this time as nominee Abdul El-Sayed sought to reassure wary Jewish voters, who make up a key part of the Democratic coalition in the state.

Some Jewish Democrats were already skeptical of El-Sayed, a longtime critic of Israel who skewered his primary opponent over the millions of dollars in spending on her behalf by the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.

El-Sayed speaks while Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., listen, during an event in Ann Arbor, Mich., on August 26, 2026. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

But for many Jewish voters, it was El-Sayed's response in March after a truck attack on the nearby Temple Israel preschool , that has remained the most agonizing. Last weekend, El-Sayed apologized for those comments and answered questions from voters at two gatherings of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus.

"I do think that there's been some movement and a shift in attitude," says caucus chair Decky Alexander, who helped organize the events. "Is it overwhelming? I don't think so. There's some people who will say 'I don't agree with him, but I'm glad he came."

Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin did not endorse in the Senate primary, but now is among the Democratic leaders trying to help the party heal and make sure that El-Sayed joins her in the Senate, rather than a Republican who she says would be beholden to President Trump.