Michigan Democrats confront a crisis as anti‑Semite Senate hopeful Abdul El‑Sayed draws fire, prompting a prominent rabbi to back Republican Rep. Mike Rogers.
Rabbi Lopatin Endorses Rogers
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, a longtime Democrat voter from Huntington Woods, announced Thursday that he will vote for Rep. Mike Rogers, saying the candidate’s character outweighs any policy differences. Lopatin praised Rogers as “an incredible man, caring and sensitive,” emphasizing that his personal integrity is the primary reason to support him.
El‑Sayed’s Controversial Record
Lopatin warned that El‑Sayed, who has ties to terrorist family members, oversaw an alleged animal slaughterhouse, and openly disparages July 4 and the Second Amendment, is unfit for the Senate. He added that El‑Sayed has shown contempt for the Jewish community, citing his alliance with antisemitic commentator Hasan Piker.
Social Media Evidence
A tweet from Eyal Yakoby on August 20, 2026, captured Lopatin’s statement: “We cannot let him anywhere near the U.S. Senate.” Another post from RNC Research on April 7, 2026, showed El‑Sayed defending Piker’s claim that “America deserved 9/11” and that “it doesn’t matter” if rapes occurred on October 7.
Lopatin’s Call to Action
Lopatin cited a specific incident where El‑Sayed responded to a Hezbollah‑linked synagogue attacker by saying “Hurt people do hurt people,” refusing to disavow the antisemitic rhetoric. He argued that El‑Sayed’s opposition to U.S. aid to Israel and his hostile remarks make him unacceptable to Jewish, African‑American, Chaldean and Arab American voters alike.
Broader Party Concerns
The criticism reflects broader concerns that the Democratic Party has embraced antisemitism, once praised by early 20th‑century figures such as Franklin Roosevelt, and now tolerates extremist voices. Lopatin urged Michigan voters to unite behind Rogers, insisting that the state’s future depends on rejecting a candidate he describes as a clear threat to American values.
