No. of Recommendations: 11
Many of the “Michigan Jewish Dems” Backing Mike Rogers Are Actually Already Republican Supporters, Analysis Finds
A close look at the signatories reveals many have been involved in past GOP efforts—including “Jews For Mitt” in 2012.
Over 400 alleged Michigan Jewish Democratic and independent voters signed a pledge in late August to vote for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, igniting a controversy and generating questions about whether Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed was losing critical support among a group that typically votes blue by about a 2:1 ratio.
But a Drop Site review of signatories in the “Michigan Jews Against Extremism” campaign finds many of the Jewish community leaders involved have deep ties to the GOP, as well as to pro-Israel activist groups such as AIPAC. Nearly 50 were involved in a nearly identical gambit in 2012 that went by the name “Jews for Mitt.” Then-President Barack Obama, the group argued, was so “anti-Israel” that their consciences drove them to abandon the Democratic Party to support Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
Among those who signed both the Romney and Rogers pledges are six members of the Schostaks, a politically powerful family behind a major Michigan development company. Bobby Schostak, the former head of the Michigan Republican Party, signed the Jews For Mitt pledge, but this time did not pretend to be a Democrat—he now serves as the Rogers campaign’s finance chair.
Dozens of signatories either work with the GOP, have served in office as Republicans, have run as Republicans, or donate to right-wing candidates, including Donald Trump.
The operation, however, has been extraordinarily effective, garnering enormous media attention, which frames the group as genuine Democrats who were finally pushed over the edge by El-Sayed.
Taken together, nearly 90% of the first 430 signatories are either connected to pro-Israel activist groups, GOP aligned, Jews for Mitt voters, or may not live in Michigan.
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