Sanders touts $12 million grassroots response to AIPAC spending against El-Sayed

• Bernie Sanders says ordinary Americans donated $12 million to Abdul El-Sayed's campaign in response to AIPAC's spending.
• Sanders says AIPAC spent $30 million opposing El-Sayed in the Democratic primary and another $9 million backing Republican Mike Rogers.
• El-Sayed defeated Democratic rival Haley Stevens in August despite AIPAC-backed spending against him.

US Senator Bernie Sanders praised Tuesday a grassroots fundraising effort for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, saying ordinary Americans contributed $12 million to his campaign in response to tens of millions of dollars spent by the American ‘Israel’ Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to influence the race.

In a post on X, Sanders said AIPAC spent $30 million opposing El-Sayed in the Democratic primary before spending another $9 million to support Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the general election.

“Here's the good news. In response to AIPAC, ordinary Americans donated $12 million to Abdul,” Sanders wrote. “They have the money. We have the people. Let's win.”

El-Sayed, a physician and former director of the Detroit Health Department, secured the Democratic nomination in August after defeating Representative Haley Stevens, despite an extensive spending campaign by AIPAC and its affiliated groups in support of his rival.

The primary became a major test of the influence of pro-’Israel’ lobbying in US elections, with AIPAC's affiliated super PAC, the United Democracy Project, pouring millions into the race to defeat El-Sayed, who has been outspoken in his criticism of US military support for ‘Israel’ and its war on Gaza.

Following the primary, AIPAC's political operation turned its attention to the general election, with reports that the United Democracy Project directed $9 million toward a super PAC supporting Rogers, a Republican seeking Michigan's open Senate seat.

Sanders has emerged as one of El-Sayed's most prominent supporters, endorsing his campaign and appearing alongside him during the primary. He has repeatedly criticized AIPAC's role in American elections, arguing that the organization uses its financial influence to undermine candidates who challenge US policy toward ‘Israel’.

The race has drawn national attention as Democrats seek to defend their Senate position, while El-Sayed's campaign has increasingly framed the contest as a broader confrontation between grassroots political organizing and the influence of wealthy donors and powerful lobbying groups.

AIPAC spent $30 million against Abdul El-Sayed in the primary. Then they dropped another $9 million to support Mike Rogers. Here's the good news. In response to AIPAC, ordinary Americans donated $12 million to Abdul. They have the money. We have the people. Let's win.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 3, 2026