Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed apologized to the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus in Lansing for remarks following a March synagogue attack, acknowledging his phrasing caused pain while attempting to provide context. The apology comes as polls show a tight race against Republican nominee Mike Rogers for the pivotal open Senate seat.
Abdul El-Sayed Issues Apology in Lansing to Jewish Democrats
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed addressed the state’s Jewish Democratic Caucus during a party convention in Lansing, offering an apology for statements he made in the wake of a violent March attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. The remarks in question followed an incident where a gunman rammed his truck into the suburban Detroit synagogue and opened fire on security guards.
To anyone who feels like my comments might have been hurtful, I’m really sorry.
That was not my intention.
The controversy stems from a video statement issued on March 13 where El-Sayed condemned the attack outright but added the phrase hurt people hurt people.
That language drew sharp criticism from Jewish residents and Democratic leaders across Michigan, who argued the statement appeared to excuse or contextualize the actions of the attacker rather than focus entirely on the safety of the Jewish community.
“We condemned that terrorist attack. We condemned it outright. What I was trying to do was offer context for why it happened, but it wasn’t the time for context. And you don’t ever want to trample somebody’s pain.”
Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee
Weighing the Impact on Michigan’s Competitive Senate Race
The reconciliation effort is part of a broader push by El-Sayed to unify the Democratic party following a bitter primary contest in which he defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham. The open Senate seat, left vacant by the retirement of Senator Gary Peters, is expected to help determine control of the U.S. Senate after the 2026 midterm elections.
Polling averages indicate a high-stakes battle ahead. Political observers note that El-Sayed must hold together progressive, Arab American, Muslim, and Jewish Democratic constituencies while attracting independent voters in a battleground state that Donald Trump carried in 2024.
Reaction to the Lansing apology among Jewish Democrats was cautiously receptive. Daniel Rivkin, a University of Michigan communications staffer and convention delegate from Ann Arbor, told reporters that it was the first time he had heard El-Sayed address the matter in such an explicit way.
Ongoing Criticisms and Republican Response
Despite the outreach, prominent figures within and outside the party remain uncommitted. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish, and Senator Moss are among the high-profile Democrats who have not yet endorsed El-Sayed. Nessel previously criticized the hurt people hurt people
comment in an interview, stating it felt like making excuses for a gunman who targeted a preschool area.
El-Sayed also faces scrutiny regarding his association with liberal online commentator Hasan Piker. U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids voiced concerns earlier in the week over Piker’s commentary regarding Israel and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. When questioned about the streamer by reporters at the convention, El-Sayed pushed back against the line of inquiry.
If you want to make this race about a streamer in California, I just think you’re missing the boat,
El-Sayed told reporters, pointing instead to local concerns like affordability and healthcare access.
Republican opponent Mike Rogers dismissed the weekend apology on social media, writing in a post on X that El-Sayed had six months to apologize for his incredibly horrific remarks regarding the Temple Israel attack,
and adding that the gesture was too little, too late.
El-Sayed maintains that the campaign must focus on the future and party unity as November approaches.
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