El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race, AP Projects

Abdul El-Sayed declared victory in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race early on November 4, and the Associated Press projected him to defeat Republican Mike Rogers. Fox News also called the race for El-Sayed. With 78 percent of the vote counted, he held a six-point lead, according to one account of the results; another showed 71 percent of precincts reporting. The Associated Press projection came as returns were still being counted.

The contest was for an open seat because Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is retiring. Republicans targeted the seat as they sought to retain their Senate majority, while Democrats needed to hold it in their effort to regain control. The Senate balance entering Election Day was 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.

The race’s final stretch was shaken by former Democratic primary rival Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers on the eve of the election. She also attacked El-Sayed, while party figures and donors rallied behind him. His campaign raised $2.4 million on the Sunday before Election Day, its biggest single-day total, as Stevens appeared with Rogers at a church event.

El-Sayed, who had not previously held elected office, campaigned on living costs and the war in Iran. He said Republicans were focusing on his name and faith rather than voters’ expenses. Trump campaigned with Rogers and attacked El-Sayed, including over his faith and alleged political loyalties. El-Sayed rejected claims linking him to the Muslim Brotherhood as Islamophobic attacks. If confirmed, his win would make him the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.

El-Sayed’s Win Defies Attacks on His Faith and Late Party Defection

Abdul El-Sayed declared victory in Michigan early on November 4, with the Associated Press projecting him to defeat Republican Mike Rogers. The contest’s final days featured attacks on El-Sayed’s faith and loyalties, while he kept his focus on the costs facing voters. With 78 percent of votes counted, he held a six-point lead in one account; another showed 71 percent of precincts reporting.

Former Democratic primary rival Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers on the eve of the election and launched attacks on El-Sayed, setting off a party feud. But El-Sayed’s supporters rallied behind him: his campaign raised $2.4 million on the Sunday before Election Day, its biggest one-day haul. The seat was open because Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is retiring, and Democrats needed to hold it as they sought to win back the Senate majority.

Trump campaigned with Rogers and made attacks invoking El-Sayed’s Muslim faith and questioning his loyalties. El-Sayed rejected allegations linking him to the Muslim Brotherhood as Islamophobic distractions. He argued that his name and faith were not why people could not afford gas, and campaigned on living costs and the Iran war. The Associated Press projection puts Democrats in position to retain a seat central to their effort to regain control of a Senate that entered Election Day with Republicans holding a 53-to-47 advantage. If confirmed, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim elected to the Senate.

Republicans Fall Short in High-Stakes Michigan Senate Contest

Abdul El-Sayed declared victory early on November 4, and the Associated Press projected him to defeat Mike Rogers in a closely watched Michigan Senate race. The result would leave Republicans short in a race they targeted as they sought to retain their Senate majority. One account showed El-Sayed ahead by six points with 78 percent of votes counted; another listed 71 percent of precincts reporting.

The seat opened with Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement. Republicans entered Election Day with a 53-to-47 Senate advantage, and the Michigan contest offered a chance to add a seat. President Donald Trump traveled to the state to campaign with Rogers and argued that an El-Sayed victory would bring security risks. Rogers and conservative allies also questioned El-Sayed’s loyalties, including over alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood; El-Sayed rejected those claims as Islamophobic.

The Republican effort faced a late complication when Haley Stevens, El-Sayed’s former Democratic primary rival, endorsed Rogers on the eve of Election Day and attacked El-Sayed. The defection did not prevent his supporters from rallying: his campaign raised $2.4 million on the Sunday before the vote. El-Sayed instead emphasized living costs and the Iran war, saying voters’ gas expenses were not caused by his name or faith. The Associated Press projection points to a Democratic hold of the open seat, while the Senate balance and control of the chamber remain central stakes of the election.