Detroit residents are prioritizing pocketbook issues such as soaring gas and grocery prices as the November 3 midterm elections approach. These economic concerns frequently take precedence over disagreements regarding Israel and Gaza for many voters, even as Democratic US Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faces scrutiny from segments of the electorate.
Dayna Broadnax, a 42-year-old single mother of four in Detroit, exemplifies the financial strain many are experiencing. She described how high everyday costs leave little money for essential bills, let alone discretionary spending like a birthday present for her son. Broadnax noted that it is difficult to explain to her children when funds are not available for small purchases. She sometimes foregoes meals to ensure her children eat and makes difficult choices about which bills to pay after spending at least $50 of her typical $150 daily Lyft earnings on gas. Broadnax stated she would vote for the candidate who focuses most on lowering costs.
Abdul El-Sayed, who is running to become the first Muslim US senator, is engaged in a close contest against former congressman Mike Rogers. An average of polls shows El-Sayed with a two-point lead. However, El-Sayed faces resistance from some voters who might typically support a Democrat. Matt Grossmann, a political science professor at Michigan State University, observed that the election has become centered on El-Sayed himself, requiring him to persuade voters who usually back Democrats but harbor reservations. These reservations can be personal or policy-related. Some voters have indicated that their opposition to former President Trump makes supporting Rogers difficult, while their concerns about El-Sayed lead them to consider not voting at all.
Many Jewish voters in Detroit, who traditionally lean Democratic, have significant reservations about El-Sayed, particularly concerning his stance on Israel. Criticism intensified after a March incident where a man rammed his truck into a suburban synagogue, Temple Israel, while over 100 children were inside. El-Sayed drew backlash for a comment he made at the time, stating, "hurt people hurt people," in reference to the attacker. Although he later apologized for the remark, the community, shaken by the attack, has continued to voice strong criticism.
Rabbi Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek said that some Jewish men now wear baseball caps instead of yarmulkes out of fear of being targeted if identified as Jewish. His synagogue has doubled its spending on security measures following the attack. Rabbi Starr, along with a group of Jewish clergy, initiated a petition advocating for the Democratic Party to adopt specific "non-negotiable" principles, including acknowledging Israel’s right to exist and Jewish sovereignty. Starr reported that El-Sayed has neither signed the petition nor communicated with the group, and he indicated he would not vote for the Democratic nominee. Starr also stated that El-Sayed appears "hyper-focused on Israel and American supporters of the state of Israel," and seems to attribute significant blame to Israel for America's problems.
Further complicating matters for some voters, El-Sayed briefly campaigned with Hasan Piker, a left-wing streamer who has faced criticism for comments about Israel and American Jews. Alicia Chandler, a 47-year-old Jewish Detroit resident, expressed discomfort with this association, though she also noted her own struggle with high gas prices, saying it "cost me almost $100 to fill my car" recently. El-Sayed has consistently affirmed his commitment to protecting Jewish people from antisemitism, stating in an August speech after winning the Democratic primary that his dedication to Jewish safety was the same as his commitment to his own daughters' safety.
Among Arab American and Muslim voters in Michigan, frustration with the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza has led many away from the Democratic ticket in 2024, with some choosing Republican or third-party candidates, or opting not to vote. However, support for El-Sayed is visible, such as at Shibam Coffee, a Yemeni coffeehouse in Dearborn, where volunteers wearing "Abdul for Senate" shirts gathered before canvassing. Many young Arab Americans at the cafe support El-Sayed. Sumayah Dhalai, a 22-year-old senior at Wayne State University, plans to vote for El-Sayed, citing his policy position against funding the Israeli government. Yet, Dhalai also emphasized that her fears about securing a job and affording rent and groceries are more significant factors in her voting decision. She stated that as much as she wants to focus on global issues, she must first ensure her own success.
The ongoing financial pressures are evident in various Detroit neighborhoods. For instance, the area surrounding the St. Suzanne Community Resource Center, where Broadnax’s sons play basketball, has a median household income of $36,525, with nearly half the children living in poverty, according to US Census data. Steve Wasko, the director of the center, highlighted that "the financial stress is continual," with residents commonly seeking assistance for rent, utility bills, mortgage payments, or furnace repairs.
