AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobbying organization, has signaled it will invest substantial resources in Michigan’s Senate race to back Republican candidate Mike Rogers, a former congressman and U.S. Army officer. But Rogers, who is vying for the seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, appears reluctant to fully embrace the group’s support, raising questions about how political endorsements and funding influence candidate messaging and voter perceptions.

According to two people familiar with the discussions, AIPAC has been preparing a multimillion-dollar campaign in Michigan, including television advertisements and get-out-the-vote efforts, to bolster Rogers. The group has already spent heavily in other primary races this cycle, but Rogers has privately voiced concerns that accepting such help could alienate independent voters or conflict with his own fundraising strategy. A representative for Rogers declined to comment on the specifics, but sources say the candidate is weighing whether the association with AIPAC might become a liability in the general election.

The race in Michigan is critical to control of the Senate. Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority, and Republicans are targeting several seats in battleground states. AIPAC, which traditionally supports pro-Israel candidates regardless of party, has increasingly aligned with Republicans in recent years, drawing criticism from progressive groups who accuse it of undermining Democratic candidates critical of Israeli policy.

Rogers’s hesitation could reflect a broader trend of candidates seeking to maintain independence from outside groups, especially in a polarized political environment. Michigan has a sizable Arab American population, and the conflict in Gaza has galvanized opposition to unconditional U.S. support for Israel among some voters. Rogers, who has been a staunch supporter of Israel during his time in Congress, may be wary of appearing too closely tied to a single interest group.

AIPAC’s political arm, the United Democracy Project, has already spent more than $20 million in the 2024 cycle, mostly on Republican candidates. The group’s willingness to back Rogers underscores its belief that he is a strong favorite to win the Michigan seat—but the candidate’s ambivalence suggests a delicate dance between the interests of a powerful lobby and a politician’s desire to shape his own narrative.