El Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race, Pokes Vance Over Swearing-In

El Sayed, a Democrat, defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, winning 52% of the vote to Rogers’ 45%, with final results still being counted on November 4. In Detroit, El Sayed turned to his coming swearing-in as he addressed Vance, saying it was “delicious irony” that the vice president would be constitutionally required to administer the oath in January.

Michigan Voters Send El Sayed to Senate Despite GOP Attacks

Michigan voters chose Democrat Abdul El Sayed over Republican Mike Rogers, giving El Sayed a 52% to 45% victory as final results continued to come in on November 4. His win carries extra meaning after Vice President JD Vance campaigned for Rogers and sharply attacked El Sayed. Now Vance is constitutionally obligated to swear the senator-elect in on January 3.

El Sayed celebrated the contrast in Detroit, calling the coming ceremony “delicious irony.” He also invoked the University of Michigan’s rivalry with Vance’s alma mater, Ohio State, and told President Donald Trump that he could call him “senator.”

The campaign’s disputes over Israel did not keep El Sayed from winning. Republicans and more centrist Democrats criticized his refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist, his comments about Iran and Israel, and his repeated appearances with Hasan Piker. El Sayed also declined to disavow a pro-El Sayed super PAC ad that blamed Israel’s Gaza war for economic problems in Michigan, rejecting a request from Rep. Haley Stevens to do so. Voters delivered their verdict anyway.

El Sayed’s Win Puts His Israel Disputes in the Senate Spotlight

Michigan voters elected Democrat Abdul El Sayed over Mike Rogers, with El Sayed winning 52% to 45% as final results were still coming in on November 4. But his victory does not settle the questions raised during the campaign about his positions on Israel and his choice of political allies.

El Sayed used his Detroit victory speech to needle Vice President JD Vance, calling it “delicious irony” that Vance must swear him in on January 3. The exchange follows months of sharp clashes between the two men, including Vance’s criticism of El Sayed over remarks linking an attack on a Michigan synagogue to Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

El Sayed declined to affirm Israel’s right to exist and would not argue Iran presents a larger threat to the United States than Israel. He also campaigned repeatedly with Hasan Piker, whose views drew criticism, and refused to disavow a super PAC ad blaming Israel’s war in Gaza for economic problems in Michigan. Those concerns did not prevent his victory, but his Senate tenure will put the disputed positions before a national audience.