Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race, Making History
El-Sayed won the closely watched contest for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Decision Desk HQ projected him the winner with 51.89% of the vote and 77% counted; the Associated Press called the race later, with El-Sayed leading 52% to 46%. His win preserves Democratic control of the seat and marks the first time a Muslim has been elected to the Senate.
El-Sayed, a Democrat with progressive views who previously led the Wayne County health department, campaigned on affordability and policies including Medicare for All. He argued that funds devoted to the war in Iran and aid to Israel should instead help Americans facing financial pressures. Rogers, a former congressman, portrayed El-Sayed’s positions as too far left and raised questions about his foreign-policy views and alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed rejected suggestions that his faith or name indicated divided loyalties.
The campaign was marked by disputes over Israel, antisemitism and El-Sayed’s appearances with political streamer Hasan Piker. In the final days, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed narrowly defeated in the primary, withdrew her support and endorsed Rogers. El-Sayed’s campaign said it raised $2.4 million on the day of Stevens’ endorsement.
At his Detroit victory celebration, El-Sayed thanked supporters and referenced the roughly $42 million spent by AIPAC against him in the primary and general election. He also addressed Rogers directly, saying, “You chose hate. Michigan chose hope.” Rogers had urged supporters to leave as the count continued, saying it would be a long night.
The race drew national figures from both parties and more than $400 million in total spending, according to one estimate. Democrats entered Election Day hoping to win back control of the Senate, while Michigan was among the contests Republicans sought to defend. El-Sayed is expected to take office in January.
Michigan Voters Reject Anti-Muslim Attacks and Elect El-Sayed
Michigan voters chose progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed over Republican Mike Rogers, delivering a rebuke to a campaign that repeatedly made his Muslim faith and alleged foreign ties central issues. El-Sayed becomes the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, and Democrats retain the seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters.
El-Sayed focused his campaign on affordability, arguing that resources spent on the Iran war and aid to Israel should go toward struggling Americans. He also backed Medicare for All. Rogers attacked his policy agenda and questioned his foreign-policy views, while President Donald Trump and other Republicans used rhetoric about El-Sayed’s faith. El-Sayed said his name and religion were not responsible for rising costs.
The final stretch exposed a rupture among Democrats. Rep. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed narrowly beat in the primary, endorsed Rogers after criticizing an outside ad and El-Sayed’s comments about Israel. Her decision came two days before the election; El-Sayed’s campaign said it raised $2.4 million that day. Despite the split, voters rejected the effort to make the race a referendum on his identity.
At his Detroit victory celebration, El-Sayed thanked supporters and cited the roughly $42 million AIPAC spent to defeat him in both election contests. He told Rogers, “You chose hate. Michigan chose hope.” The contest was one of the most expensive and closely watched Senate races of the midterms, with total spending estimated above $400 million.
El-Sayed’s win keeps a Democratic-held seat in the party’s column as control of the Senate is contested. He is expected to take office in January.
Michigan Elects Progressive El-Sayed After Democrats’ Party Split
Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Senate race, overcoming a bitter campaign and a last-minute break with fellow Democrats. His victory gives the left a major win in a battleground state and keeps the seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters in Democratic hands.
El-Sayed ran on a far-reaching agenda that included Medicare for All and redirecting money from military aid to Israel toward domestic needs. Republicans framed those positions as evidence of an out-of-step progressive politics and questioned his foreign-policy record. Rogers also raised allegations of ties between El-Sayed’s family and the Muslim Brotherhood, while El-Sayed rejected the suggestion that his faith reflected divided loyalties.
The race also laid bare Democrats’ divisions over Israel and the party’s direction. Rep. Haley Stevens, El-Sayed’s primary opponent, endorsed Rogers two days before Election Day after criticizing El-Sayed over an outside ad and his remarks about Israel. El-Sayed had campaigned with political streamer Hasan Piker, drawing further criticism from moderates. His win shows the party’s progressive wing can prevail even after a prominent Democrat broke ranks.
El-Sayed becomes the first Muslim elected to the Senate. At his Detroit celebration, he thanked AIPAC for spending about $42 million against him and told Rogers, “You chose hate. Michigan chose hope.” Total spending in the race was estimated to exceed $400 million.
Republicans had hoped to flip the seat as they defended their Senate majority. Instead, El-Sayed’s victory leaves Democrats with the seat and strengthens the progressive wing’s claim to influence the party’s future. He is expected to take office in January.
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