AIPAC Faces Growing Public Backlash in Michigan

A joint study by Progress Michigan and Public Policy Polling indicates that over half of Michigan residents hold an unfavorable view of AIPAC, with only one in five expressing support. This decline in popularity comes after the organization funneled roughly $30 million into an unsuccessful effort to defeat Abdul El-Sayed during the state’s Democratic Senate primary.

Levi Teitel, communications director for Progress Michigan, stated that the group is increasingly viewed as out of touch with the electorate. Teitel noted that while the NRA has long been considered politically toxic due to its opposition to gun control, AIPAC’s alignment with the ongoing conflict in Gaza has accelerated its own reputational damage. According to the data, 47% of respondents hold a negative view of the NRA, trailing the disapproval ratings for AIPAC.

Despite its waning support among the public, AIPAC retains significant bipartisan influence within state politics. However, this poll follows earlier findings from firms like Upswing Strategies, which previously reported that nearly half of voters in several swing states would refuse to support any candidate backed by the lobby. As the 2026 election cycle approaches, the disconnect between AIPAC’s heavy spending and voter sentiment suggests a deepening struggle for the organization to maintain its traditional leverage.