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Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s closely contested Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate after defeating Republican Mike Rogers.
Mariyam Adheela
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed
DETROIT, United States: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s US Senate election, making history as the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.
The 42-year-old former public health official defeated Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the November 3 midterm elections, according to projections by major US media outlets and the Associated Press.
El-Sayed’s victory secures the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, keeping it in Democratic hands. His election marks a historic milestone for Muslim representation in American national politics.
During his campaign, El-Sayed focused on the rising cost of living, healthcare access and reducing the influence of wealthy corporations in politics.
His platform included Medicare for All, a proposed government-funded universal healthcare system, alongside measures aimed at making essential services more affordable for working families.
His Republican opponent, Rogers, is a former congressman and FBI agent who had sought to challenge El-Sayed’s political positions and portray him as too progressive for Michigan voters. El-Sayed denied allegations of links to the Muslim Brotherhood raised during the campaign, with Reuters reporting that the claims were unsupported by evidence.
El-Sayed, an Egyptian American, previously served as a public health official in Michigan, including as director of the Detroit Health Department.
His victory is being recognised as a significant moment for Muslim Americans, who have not previously had a member of their community elected to the US Senate.
The Michigan race was among the closely watched contests in the 2026 midterm elections, with both parties seeking control of the Senate. El-Sayed’s win also marked a breakthrough for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
