El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat, becomes first Muslim senator
The former health official defeated Republican Mike Rogers in a race marked by heavy spending and debate over healthcare costs.
By Samir Doyle ·
Abdul El-Sayed secured a victory in the Michigan U.S. Senate race on Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Mike Rogers. The win makes El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, the first Muslim to serve in the U.S. Senate. He takes the seat formerly held by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who retired from office.
El-Sayed’s path to the Senate began with a primary challenge against Rep. Haley Stevens. That August contest drew nearly $60 million in outside spending. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, spent almost $30 million opposing El-Sayed, a record for the group in a single race. El-Sayed won the primary despite criticism from some members of Michigan’s Jewish community over his comments on the Israel conflict. He later apologized for remarks made after a synagogue attack, stating he was sorry to anyone who found his words hurtful.
The general election campaign focused heavily on economic concerns. Rogers, a former congressman who lost a razor-thin race in 2024, struggled to balance his support for President Donald Trump with voter frustration over rising gas prices. Those costs were linked by some voters to the war in Iran and the economic effects of presidential tariffs. Rogers wrote on social media in September that the war with Iran needs to end quickly. Republicans also questioned El-Sayed’s loyalty to the United States, citing his sharp criticism of Israel, though they presented no evidence linking him to terrorist organizations.
El-Sayed campaigned on a platform centered on Medicare for All. This policy would replace the current mix of private and public health insurance with a government-run, single-payer system. He also pushed to remove outside money from elections. Progressive leaders supported his bid, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who joined him for a final swing through the Upper Peninsula and Detroit. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders also helped build early momentum for the campaign.
El-Sayed won 92% of the vote in Detroit, the state’s largest and majority-Black city. Former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned with him there to mobilize voters. This outreach addressed concerns about Black voter turnout after Stevens carried Wayne County in the primary. El-Sayed told a crowd in Detroit early Wednesday that voters took a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates. He thanked the room, saying, “This is all yours.”
In his victory speech, El-Sayed criticized the tone of the Republican campaign. He said his opponents went all in on one of the ugliest campaigns in recent memory. “They might have been pointing to my name and my faith, but we all know my name and my faith are not why you can’t afford your gas,” he said. El-Sayed also addressed Rogers directly, telling the former congressman to enjoy his retirement. “You chose hate and Michigan chose hope,” El-Sayed said. “May we never have to see the likes of you in this state again.”
The victory adds to a day of sweeping wins for Democrats, who claimed control of both chambers of Congress. The result offers evidence to progressive leaders that their agenda can win in critical battleground states ahead of the 2028 presidential election. El-Sayed, who has never held elected office, will now join the Senate as a member of the party's left wing.
