DEARBORN, Mich. — Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed says he's committed to continuing a dialogue with Jeremy Moss, a prominent Jewish Democrat and candidate for Congress in Oakland County who has withheld his endorsement of El-Sayed since his victory in the Aug. 4 primary election. El-Sayed is trying to unify Democrats ahead of the November general election in Michigan, which could help ...

Progressive Twitch streamer Hasan Piker attends an election event for Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at the Congregation coffee shop, in Detroit, Aug. 3, 2026.

David Guralnick/The Detroit News/TNS

DEARBORN, Mich. — Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed says he's committed to continuing a dialogue with Jeremy Moss, a prominent Jewish Democrat and candidate for Congress in Oakland County who has withheld his endorsement of El-Sayed since his victory in the Aug. 4 primary election.

El-Sayed is trying to unify Democrats ahead of the November general election in Michigan, which could help decide control of the U.S. Senate.

Asked about his relationship with Moss on Tuesday, Aug. 25, El-Sayed declined to detail private talks but told reporters that their conversations have focused on how to "come together agreeably across our disagreements."

"Insofar as there are disagreements about foreign policy, my hope is that folks understand where those disagreements align and also understand that that does not come at the cost of Jewish safety," El-Sayed said.

"He's been one person with whom I've had a conversation, among so many leaders in the Jewish community who've opened their arms to me and been willing to have a really, really good conversation. I'm looking forward to continuing those conversations, and I think all of us agree that the things that divide us are so much smaller than the things that unite us against somebody like (GOP Senate nominee) Mike Rogers."

Moss of Bloomfield Township confirmed in an Aug. 24 statement that he's had talks with El-Sayed about Jewish and Arab safety and security and also about MAGA "extremism."

Moss, a state senator, stressed that he won't ever support Republican Senate nominee Rogers, citing his election denial and "obedience" to President Donald Trump.

"These important conversations do not fit neatly in the confines of a tweet or a reel, like so many want them to. I'm grateful that Abdul and I are having them," Moss wrote.

"There is still work ahead to unite our ticket despite our differences. It won't happen overnight, nor should it. It will require continuing outreach that is credible and authentic."

Moss is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House seat held by outgoing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham, whom El-Sayed defeated by about 14,000 votes this month after a nasty primary battle for Senate. Her district includes a large Jewish community in Oakland County that Rogers is actively courting, trying to take advantage of divisions among Democrats on Israel.

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Jeremy Moss is the Democratic nominee for Michigan's 11th Congressional District seat in Oakland County.

Katy Kildee/The Detroit News/TNS

El-Sayed of Ann Arbor has called Israel a "rogue" state and opposes military aid for foreign governments like Israel and said Aug. 24 that part of his message to Jewish leaders is that position is "not about hating anybody" but wanting Michigan tax dollars to be invested in Michigan roads and schools.

"It's also about making sure that in our foreign policy we substantiate equal rights to peace, dignity, and self-determination for Palestinian folk," El-Sayed said. "I'd rather my tax dollars not get spent to take away some people's self-determination that could be used to empower other folks here."

But El-Sayed's continued association with far-left streamer Hasan Piker has angered some Democrats, who are urging him to disavow or ties with the controversial social media figure.

Piker, who appeared with El-Sayed on the campaign trail, has called the militant group Hamas better than Israel and once questioned whether the U.S. "deserved" the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Then Piker last week featured a photo on his livestream of Moss as Piker suggested that some pro-Israel rhetoric could lead to violence against American Jews. The episode came after Moss recently said people have been sharing a fake audio clip claiming the entire purpose of his campaign for the U.S. House is to ensure America continues to support Israel.

"If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone is going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews," Piker said while showing the image of Moss.

Moss responded in his Aug. 24 statement: “I will not be lectured by a California podcaster about what Oakland County, Michigan’s Jewish community should and shouldn’t believe,” adding that “we certainly won’t be gaslit that we’re responsible for the antisemitic harm upon us.”

El-Sayed also addressed Piker's remarks on Moss in a statement that called antisemitism a "scourge," while emphasizing that “nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokespeople.”

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Abdul El-Sayed, a candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, center, speaks with members of the press during a campaign stop on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Flint, Mich..

Katy Kildee, The Detroit News/The Detroit News/TNS

"I believe all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence. This is particularly true for communities that have been intimidated for their beliefs in the past," El-Sayed said.

“My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters. Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms. And I stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk," he added.

“And while politicians and pundits try to make this race about a Twitch streamer, we’re going to be talking about gas, groceries, good schools and healthcare."

Rogers suggested El-Sayed's response wasn't strong enough, saying he "doesn’t have the guts to disavow his running mate."

Lon Johnson, former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, also called on El-Sayed to disavow Piker, saying the Senate candidate's statements on Piker "are too weak against a man attacking MI voters and our Congressional delegation."

El-Sayed's statement on Piker was a "continuation of contextualizing intimidation and violence," Johnson told Politico.

"We're seeing attempts by Mike Rogers to actively pursue sore points within our community ― and he's doing it faster than Abdul."

Democratic U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids said Piker's rhetoric "has no place in Michigan and no place in our country.”

"It's dangerous for everyone," Scholten said in an Aug. 24 statement. "We should all be calling out this disgusting rhetoric so it loses its grip on our politics once and for all."

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Staff Writer Craig Mauger contributed.

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