Michigan Democrats have chosen attorney Amir Makled, a pro-Palestinian candidate, as their nominee for the University of Michigan Board of Regents, replacing incumbent Jordan Acker, a pro-Israel Jewish regent who will not seek reelection. Makled secured the party's backing despite controversy over past social media posts that included antisemitic content, praise for a Hezbollah leader, and reposts of conspiracy material. The Michigan branch of the Service Employees International Union withdrew its endorsement after the posts resurfaced.

The race unfolded amid broader tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel, particularly in a state with significant Jewish and Arab communities. Makled is aligned with Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who has sharply criticized the Israeli government. At the party convention, divisions were evident as delegates booed another Senate candidate seen as more supportive of Israel.

Acker also faced controversy ahead of the convention over reported explicit messages and an alleged antisemitic slur, which his attorney disputed. The regents' race has been shaped by campus protests, vandalism incidents, and competing claims of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias, underscoring how debates over Israel and Palestine are influencing state-level Democratic politics.