Democrat Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Seat, First Muslim in Chamber
Abdul El-Sayed secured Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat, preserving a Democratic hold and becoming the chamber's first Muslim member.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed was projected to have won Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat on Nov. 3, maintaining a crucial Democratic position in the closely contested race. At 42, the former public-health official ran on a platform that emphasized lowering costs for working families, reducing corporate influence in politics, and advancing a Medicare-for-All program.
The victory prevents Republicans from flipping the seat of retiring Senator Gary Peters and bolsters the party’s progressive wing. Republicans entered the midterm elections with a 53-47 Senate majority and needed a net gain of four seats to take control.
El-Sayed’s Republican opponent, former congressman and FBI agent Mike Rogers, received backing from President Donald Trump and national Republicans. Rogers’ campaign sought to portray El-Sayed as a radical linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, allegations the candidate denied and for which no evidence was presented. Democrats said the attacks relied on Islamophobic tropes.
Rogers also appealed to Jewish voters concerned about El-Sayed’s opposition to U.S. military aid for Israel and his description of Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. In the final weeks, Rogers broke with the president on the war in Iran and the U.S. trade dispute with Canada, arguing that ending both would help lower costs for businesses and consumers.