Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race to Become First Muslim US Senator
Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's US Senate race, securing a crucial victory that makes him the first Muslim elected to the upper chamber of Congress, networks reported.
El-Sayed succeeded retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters. The 42-year-old doctor built his campaign around populist promises, including universal health care through a Medicare for All proposal and getting money out of politics, according to reporting by The Guardian.
It is my honor and privilege to be headed to the US Senate to serve the great state of Michigan. Michigan, we did what they said couldn’t be done. We won. Together. Now the real work begins. pic.twitter.com/ITgNRyUkNc
Outside Groups Spend Record Sums to Block Nomination
The race drew intense national attention and massive financial backing as Republicans attempted to frame the contest as a referendum on the Democratic left. President Donald Trump labeled El-Sayed a “communist” and a “jihadist” during the campaign, while outside spending soared. The pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC, through its Super PAC United Democracy Project, spent about $30m in the primary to block El-Sayed’s nomination, setting a record for a single race, The Guardian noted.
Total ad spending in the general election surpassed more than $220m by mid-October, according to AdImpact data cited by The Guardian. Late in the cycle, the race experienced an unexpected shift when Representative Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated in the Democratic primary, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers at the eleventh hour.
A statewide poll conducted October 26–27 by Mitchell Research & Communications for CBS Detroit and other Michigan television stations showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 51% to 44%, CBS News reported. Nonpartisan handicapper Cook Political Report shifted its rating of the race from a toss-up to lean Democrat in the final stretch, driven by new public and private polling.
Victory Speech and Looking Ahead to January
Addressing supporters at his election headquarters in Detroit early Wednesday, El-Sayed reflected on the historic nature of his campaign. “You took a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates,” he told the cheering crowd, as reported by The Guardian. He also directly addressed Vice President JD Vance regarding the constitutional transition of power.
The Cook Political Report is issuing its final Senate ratings of the 2026 midterm cycle. The Michigan Senate race moves from Toss Up to Lean Democrat. Read @JessicaTaylor's full analysis and what else she'll be watching on Election Night:https://t.co/rM2ndWQuu3
“JD, habibi, there is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in January,” El-Sayed said during his victory remarks.
More on Michigan Senate
Republicans have the total ad spending advantage in eight out of ten Senate races @CookPolitical currently rates as Toss Up or Lean. Aired & future reservations:#OHSen: 🔴$275.6M 🔵$191.2M#TXSen: 🔴$251.9M 🔵$116.3M#MISen: 🔴$124.7M 🔵$95.5M#MESen: 🔴$120.4M 🔵$88.0M… pic.twitter.com/PC2y3gKU36