Sanders gives $1m to El-Sayed as AIPAC plans $9m campaign
US Senator Bernie Sanders has transferred $1 million to Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign after learning that the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC was planning to spend as much as $9 million to defeat him, the New York Times reported.
The Vermont independent made the transfer on Wednesday and urged fellow progressives to help counter AIPAC’s spending in what has become the most expensive Senate race in Michigan history.
Four Democratic senators — Martin Heinrich, Tina Smith, Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley — were among a dozen lawmakers who pledged a combined $300,000 to support El-Sayed, according to the report.
Sanders had previously contributed $250,000 to a joint fundraising fund supporting El-Sayed in early October. The latest transfer brings his total contributions to $1.25 million.
AIPAC has stepped up its involvement in the race, with its United Democracy Project super PAC previously spending money opposing El-Sayed during the Democratic primary.
The group and its affiliates spent nearly $30 million backing his primary rival, Haley Stevens, who ultimately lost the nomination.
AIPAC has since begun directing money towards a super PAC supporting Republican nominee Mike Rogers, the New York Times reported, citing two sources.
El Sayed has opposed US aid to Israel, a position that has drawn opposition from pro-Israel advocacy groups.
El Sayed, who would become the first Muslim senator in US history if elected in November, has substantially out-raised Rogers.
Federal Election Commission data cited in reports showed El Sayed had raised more than $45 million by the end of September, compared with Rogers’s more than $20 million.
However, outside spending has also played a major role in the contest.
Reports indicate that outside groups have spent substantially more supporting Rogers than backing El-Sayed in the general election.
Sanders’s campaign had $22.4 million in cash reserves entering October, according to the New York Times.