El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat

Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Senate race on Tuesday, defeating Republican Mike Rogers to claim a key seat in the battleground state.

The former public health administrator became the first Muslim senator in United States history. He defeated Rogers, who had the backing of President Donald Trump. Rogers spent the campaign labeling El-Sayed a communist and criticizing his stance on Israel.

El-Sayed ran a left-wing platform that prioritized universal health care and a wealth tax on billionaires. He described Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide during the campaign. This position resonated in Michigan, which holds the second largest Arab-American population in the country.

The victory came just days after Democratic primary rival Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers. Stevens, a staunch supporter of Israel, had received millions of dollars in backing from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Her last-minute endorsement of the Republican candidate caused a rift within the party.

Democratic leadership described Stevens' move as a despicable betrayal. Her staff reportedly resigned in mass following the announcement. Voters in the state expressed confusion over the timing and motive of the endorsement.

El-Sayed took the stage in the early hours of Wednesday to celebrate with a crowd that had waited for hours. Supporters chanted his slogan, money out of politics, money in your pocket and Medicare for all. He thanked the group for taking a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates.

El-Sayed called the campaign against him one of the ugliest seen in his lifetime. He noted that the attacks included baseless ties to terrorism and intense anti-Muslim rhetoric. He used the Arabic phrase Alhamdullah during his speech and explained its meaning to the crowd.

Roula Allouch, an Arab American Muslim in the crowd, said she felt goosebumps watching the campaign succeed. She expressed pride in El-Sayed and his family for persevering through the hate and Islamophobic rhetoric they faced. Another supporter said the win allowed Muslim Americans to stand a little taller.

The Michigan seat was previously held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters. Analysts considered this one of the tightest races in the midterm elections. El-Sayed's win cements Democratic control of the United States Senate.

Michigan voted for Joe Biden in 2020 but for Donald Trump in 2024. El-Sayed campaigned alongside progressive leaders Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He focused on grassroots frustration with Washington politics and high costs for local voters.