Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Hill Harper says he was offered $20 million to drop out and launch a primary challenge to Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
“One of AIPAC’s biggest donors offered $20m if I dropped out of the U.S. Senate race to run against @RashidaTlaib,” Mr. Harper wrote on X Wednesday. “I said no. I won’t be bossed, bullied, or bought.”
“I didn’t intend for a private phone call to turn public. But now that it has, here’s the truth,” he wrote.
Ms. Tlaib has faced intense criticism over the past month for her stance on the Israel-Hamas war. The Michigan Democrat, who is the only Palestinian-American member of Congress, has made comments against the Israeli government and was one of the first lawmakers to call for a cease-fire. Earlier this month, the House voted to censure her over recent and past comments.
The donor, Michigan entrepreneur Linden Nelson, made the offer on Oct. 16, Harper campaign spokesman Karthik Ganapathy told CNN. He is a donor of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and has donated to other political campaigns in the past. The deal offered to bundle $10 million in contributions and give another $10 million through independent expenditures on his behalf.
Politico, which first reported the allegation, said it reached Mr. Nelson briefly by phone but that he hung up quickly and did not answer any more requests for comment.
Mr. Harper, 57, is a first-time candidate known for being a television actor in shows such as “The Good Doctor” and “CSI: NY.” He is running for Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s seat, who announced that she would not be seeking reelection earlier this year.
He faces stiff competition from Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Michigan Democrat, who is also running for the seat and has led Mr. Harper in fundraising
Source:Washington Times
