Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat and becomes first Muslim senator
The Democratic candidate defeated former Rep. Mike Rogers in a race marked by attacks on his faith.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Abdul El-Sayed defeated former Rep. Mike Rogers by approximately seven percentage points in the Michigan Senate race, according to Decision Desk HQ results released Wednesday afternoon. The margin secured El-Sayed a victory in every county in the state.
El-Sayed will become the first Muslim member of the U.S. Senate. He spent much of the campaign defending his faith and family background against criticisms from Rogers, President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. The GOP nominee asserted that El-Sayed had pledged support to the Muslim Brotherhood, a group the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization last year.
During a debate, El-Sayed pushed back against the allegations. He described himself as proud to be an American and cited the Constitution as the guarantee that allows citizens to pray as they choose. He characterized the questioning of his faith as shameful.
In an interview with The Associated Press after the projection was made, El-Sayed stated that Michiganders rejected a campaign that focused on his name and face rather than policy issues. He described the opposition's strategy as hateful and spiteful. The incoming senator noted that he had not yet spoken with Rogers since the Republican issued a concession statement earlier in the day.
Rogers thanked supporters in his written statement and warned that the state required ongoing attention. He expressed hope that Michigan's best days were ahead. El-Sayed said he took time to reflect on his victory Wednesday morning, considering the historical significance for his two young daughters.
El-Sayed told the news wire that the moment would be recorded in history books for his children. The results confirm El-Sayed's position as the state's next senator, ending the competitive contest between the two candidates.
