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Democrat Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race, Makes History as First Muslim Senator
El-Sayed overcame heavy outside spending and attacks on his faith, and Democrats kept the seat as they won Senate control.
- 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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The victory of Democrat Abdul Sayed in the seat of Michigan in the United States Senate is an unprecedented milestone in the history of the political representation of Muslims in the United States. He became the first Muslim elected to the Council, having overcome his Republican rival Mike Rogers in the midterm elections.
·Syrian Arab Republic (the)
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Democratic Abdul El-Sayed, from the left wing of the party, won the senatorial election in the state of Michigan (north).
·Montreal, Canada
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Total News Sources645
Leaning Left116Leaning Right109Center113Last UpdatedBias Distribution34% Left
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left
34% Center
L 34%
C 34%
R 32%
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