Kelly Neumann, a prominent Michigan Democratic fundraiser who is supporting several major Democratic candidates in the state, shared a social media post on Veterans Day in 2024 honoring her grandfather, who served in the Nazi regime’s army in World War II.

The post includes multiple photos of Neumann’s grandfather in Nazi regalia, including what appears to be an officer’s uniform.

“Happy Veterans Day to all my family and friends who serve/served! Without you, America would not be here today,” the post, shared on Facebook and Instagram by Neumann, a local attorney, reads. The Facebook post, which remained online as of initial publication of this story, was subsequently deleted. “Interesting story, I do not talk much about but my Grandfather, Albert Neumann was on the German side in WWI & WWII.  He escaped to Brazil with my Father after Germany lost in WWII and then made their way to Detroit where they spoke no English and worked their way up to provide a stable life for their family.”

Neumann went on to say that her grandfather “was one of my best friends. He was one of the first people in my life that accepted me as gay when I was nervous and scared. I’ll never forget him embracing me and loving me for who I am.”

“His story is a true testament that people can change and love indeed can win,” Neumann concluded.

Neumann is serving as a co-chair of the finance committees for state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who is running for U.S. Senate, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is running for governor. Neumann has co-hosted several fundraisers for McMorrow’s campaign, as recently as last Friday, as well as multiple fundraisers for Benson’s campaign.

In March 2025, Neumann also hosted a $50,000 fundraiser for Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), now running for Senate against McMorrow, and is a member of Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet’s (D-MI) fundraising “cabinet.” She hosted a December fundraiser for state Sen. Jeremy Moss, a Jewish, pro-Israel Democratic candidate for the House.

Neumann appears to be well-connected in Democratic politics¸ having hosted events alongside various other prominent Michigan Democrats. She has also shared photos with former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and professed to being in personal contact with multiple Democratic senators — albeit prior to the 2024 Veterans Day post.

FEC records indicate she has never personally donated directly to Stevens or Moss’ campaigns, and she’s been critical of Stevens during her Senate candidacy.

Arik Wolk, a spokesperson for Stevens’ campaign, distanced her from Neumann. “Haley rejects antisemitism in all forms, and has spent her career standing up to and calling out hate. Had Haley seen the post celebrating Ms. Neumann’s grandfather’s service to the SS, Ms. Neumann would not have hosted that event,” Wolk said.

Neumann, and the other candidates whom she is supporting this cycle, did not provide comment.

Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is putting anti-AIPAC and anti-Israel messaging front-and-center in fundraising appeals he’s circulating on social media.

Platner is currently running a series of Facebook and Instagram advertisements soliciting donations for his campaign that highlight his opposition to AIPAC and accuse Israel of committing genocide. The pitches indicate that Platner is treating the issue as central to rallying support for his campaign.

“My opponent has already been endorsed by AIPAC — an endorsement I will never get. Because what is happening right now in Gaza is a genocide,” Platner says in one direct-to-camera video ad focused specifically on his opposition to AIPAC. “I need your help because we refuse to take money from AIPAC, and we refuse to take money from the billionaires who support it.”

Every one of the eight active ads that Platner is running on Facebook and Instagram, according to Meta’s political advertising library tool, includes a repudiation of AIPAC, and around half accuse Israel of genocide. In most of Platner’s other ads, that language comes alongside comments on a range of other issues.

Some of the written advertisements being circulated by Platner’s campaign on Facebook and Instagram include language such as “there is a genocide happening in Palestine,” “why are we funding Netanyau’s genocide in Palestine?” and “I won’t kowtow to AIPAC or billionaires.” 

Platner’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Platner, in the days since launching his campaign, has been repeatedly and vocally critical of Israel and of AIPAC, including calling the group “weird.”

Platner’s potential general election opponent, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has been a vocal supporter of Israel in the Senate, as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. It’s not clear yet how Platner’s stance on Israel will play in the election, but Collins is already attacking him for his views. 

The candidate’s advocacy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict appears to date back to his high school days — a page from his yearbook that Platner’s campaign shared on X shows him holding a sign that appears to read “Free Kosovo Chechnya Kashmir Palestine Kurdistan Tibet.”