Abdul El-Sayed takes Michigan Senate seat, becomes first Muslim senator
The progressive candidate defeated Republican Mike Rogers after a contentious campaign marked by heavy spending and debates over healthcare and foreign policy.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers on Tuesday to claim Michigan's open Senate seat. The win makes El-Sayed the first Muslim member of the U.S. Senate.
The race was defined by intense financial battles and sharp ideological clashes. El-Sayed, a former public health official with no prior elected office, faced nearly $60 million in outside spending during the August Democratic primary. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee alone spent approximately $30 million against him, a record for a single race.
In the general election, El-Sayed relied on a grassroots effort centered on universal healthcare and reducing outside money in politics. He overcame a campaign that included criticism of his stance on Israel. Republicans, including President Donald Trump, questioned his loyalty to the United States without providing evidence of ties to terrorist organizations.
El-Sayed addressed his supporters in Detroit early Wednesday. He credited voters for trusting an unlikely candidate who had lost a double-digit gubernatorial primary eight years prior. "You took a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates," he said. "Thank you. This is all yours."
The victory came after a difficult path for El-Sayed within the Democratic Party. He narrowly beat establishment-backed Representative Haley Stevens in the primary. Stevens endorsed Rogers two days before the election, citing concerns from some communities in the state. El-Sayed had apologized earlier in the year for his remark that "hurt people hurt people" following a synagogue attack.
Rogers, a former congressman and former House Intelligence Committee chair, struggled to balance his support for President Trump with voter concerns about the war in Iran and rising fuel prices. He had narrowly lost to Elissa Slotkin in 2024. In September, he wrote on social media that the conflict with Iran needs to end quickly.
High-profile Democrats including former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned with El-Sayed in Detroit to ensure Black voter turnout. Progressive leaders like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders also supported his bid.
El-Sayed told Rogers to enjoy his retirement. "You chose hate and Michigan chose hope," El-Sayed said. "May we never have to see the likes of you in this state again."
