Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race, becoming first Muslim senator
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely watched US Senate race.
El-Sayed, a doctor and former public health official, becomes the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.
The race drew national attention as Republicans argued that his progressive positions were too far left for Michigan, a closely contested state.
Attacks on El-Sayed’s Muslim faith became a major part of the campaign, including false claims by President Donald Trump about his ties to Islamist groups.
El-Sayed has backed universal health care and called for an end to US military aid to Israel, positions that also drew criticism.
He will take the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who has held it since 2015.
El-Sayed said Vice President JD Vance would swear him into the Senate.
Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s US Senate race, according to media projections.
He will become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.
The former public health official won after campaigning on Medicare for All, lowering costs and reducing corporate influence in politics.
The race followed a costly Democratic primary and drew more than $100 million in advertising, according to Al Jazeera.
El-Sayed’s victory was described as a breakthrough for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
- Who
- Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers.
- What
- El-Sayed won Michigan’s open US Senate seat and will become the first Muslim elected to the Senate.
- When
- The election was held on November 3, 2026. El-Sayed declared victory early on November 4.
- Where
- Michigan, United States.
- Why
- He won the election; the sources describe his victory as a breakthrough for the Democratic progressive wing.
Abdul El-Sayed
Mike Rogers
Healthcare
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed campaigned for Medicare for All, a government-funded universal healthcare programme.
Mike Rogers
Rogers opposed the Affordable Care Act, according to The Guardian.
Israel and foreign policy
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed called for an end to US military aid for Israel and campaigned against funding foreign wars.
Mike Rogers
Rogers sought Jewish voters uneasy with El-Sayed’s positions and had backed Trump’s war with Iran before calling for it to end.
Campaign attacks
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed said his opponents focused on divisive attacks rather than costs such as gas and groceries.
Mike Rogers
Rogers sought to portray El-Sayed as too far left and alleged he was sympathetic to Islamic extremism; the claims were unsupported by evidence, according to the Straits Times.
Michigan’s Democratic primary took place, according to Al Jazeera.
El-Sayed narrowly defeated Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary.
Stevens endorsed Rogers, according to Le Monde.
El-Sayed won Michigan’s open Senate seat, according to media projections.
El-Sayed declared victory at the Michigan Democrats’ headquarters in Detroit.
- Winner
- Abdul El-Sayed
- Opponent
- Mike Rogers, 63
- State
- Michigan
- Election date
- November 3, 2026
- Historic first
- First Muslim elected to the US Senate
- Primary spending
- AIPAC spent nearly $30 million opposing El-Sayed, according to Le Monde
9 sources
El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race in a Victory for Democrats
El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race to become first Muslim senator
US midterms: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to Senate
Progressive Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race to become first Muslim US senator
Abdul El-Sayed defeats Mike Rogers to win US Senate seat in Michigan
Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim to be elected to US Senate
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeats Republican Mike Rogers in key Michigan Senate race
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s high-stakes Senate race
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed claims victory in Michigan Senate battle
What people are saying
We know that America is big enough for all of us.
We showed that in a battle between the money and the many that the many can win.
We want our taxes spent here, for schools here, and healthcare here, and infrastructure here. We don’t want our money sent to do apartheid, or genocide, or war.
Donald, I know you struggled with my name. So after JD swears me in in January, you can just go on to call me ‘Senator’.