In a costly Michigan Senate primary, outside groups poured 63 million into Haley Stevens, a pro‑Israel Democrat, while progressive challenger Abdul El‑Sayed faced a war chest nine times smaller. AIPAC’s main super‑PAC spent a record 31.7 million to back Stevens, yet El‑Sayed’s message of rejecting big money and criticizing Israel resonated with voters.

The race highlighted a growing Democratic disdain for money in politics and for Israel’s policies. El‑Sayed, a Rhodes scholar and former public health official, tapped these themes, earning praise from progressive outlets and even a host of Jon Favreau, who called AIPAC’s support a “lineобрет attack.”

Despite AIPAC’s history of supporting pro‑Israel candidates, the group’s influence waned: the percentage of Democrats turning away from AIPAC‑backed candidates rose from a third to over half in recent years. El‑Sayed’s win proved money alone does not guarantee victory.

AIPAC remains active, eyeing possible support for Republican Mike Rogers, but its recent defeat may force a reevaluation of strategy in future primaries.