Democrat Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race, Makes History as First Muslim Senator
- On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's U.S. Senate race, becoming the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate.
- The 42-year-old epidemiologist ran on a progressive platform including "Medicare for All" after emerging from a contentious primary against Representative Haley Stevens that drew nearly $60 million in outside spending.
- Amid Islamophobic attacks from President Donald Trump, who repeatedly called El-Sayed a "dangerous jihadist," Stevens defected two days before the election to endorse Rogers, citing disagreements over his criticism of Israel.
- Speaking to supporters in Detroit early Wednesday, El-Sayed told the crowd, "You took a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates." The victory extends a GOP drought for the seat dating to 1994.
- As one of the youngest members of the Senate Democratic caucus, El-Sayed will prioritize healthcare reform and ending military aid to Israel during his six-year term, positioning progressives to shape party policy.
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821 Articles
A majority of Michigan Jews voted for El Sayed polling suggests but divisions remain
For some Jews in Michigan, the election of Abdul El-Sayed, a Muslim with sharply critical views toward Israel, as their US senator represented a stark new reality. For others, the victory of El-Sayed—who won Michigan by 7 points over his challenger, Republican Mike Rogers, according to unofficial election results—came with a sense of pride. “I feel really proud and deeply moved,” said Elissa Driker, a psychotherapist from Huntington Woods, a sub…
Oxford Mail
thisisoxfordshire.co.ukOxford graduate becomes America's first Muslim senator after election
A graduate of Oriel College, Oxford University, has been elected America's first Muslim senator in the US midterm elections.
Lorraine Ali: Say his name: Abdul El-Sayed becomes the nation’s first Muslim senator
When it came to which candidate weathered the most overtly racist attacks, in a midterm election full of the most overtly racist campaign attacks in modern memory, there was no contest. Michigan’s Democratic Senate nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, was called a…
Abdul El-Sayed's Senate Victory in Michigan
Abdul El-Sayed's Senate Victory in Michigan Authors Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley bareditors Fri, 11/06/2026 - 08:44 Abayomi Azikiwe is editor of the Pan-African Newswire and a Detroit-based activist. Abdul El-Sayed won his election and will represent Michigan as a United States senator. He defied the Democratic Party and its donor class, but is his victory truly meaningful to the people who rejected Islamophobia and AIPAC's attac…
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