Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate with a background in public health, has defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s November 3 Senate election, making history as the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate, according to the Associated Press.
The 42-year-old Democrat declared victory early Wednesday, November 4, at an election night gathering in Detroit, following a campaign that attracted national attention because of his progressive policies, criticism of Israel and disputes over his religious background.
His victory also keeps the Senate seat in Democratic hands after the retirement of incumbent Senator Gary Peters created an opening in one of America’s most competitive political states.
The result matters beyond Michigan because it gives the Democratic Party’s progressive wing a major victory in a state that supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. It also strengthens arguments that candidates campaigning on universal healthcare, economic inequality and reducing corporate influence can compete successfully in closely divided states.
El-Sayed defeats Trump-backed Republican
Mr El-Sayed defeated Mr Rogers, a former Republican congressman and former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, in the contest for Michigan’s open Senate seat.
According to the Associated Press, the election was one of the most closely watched races in the 2026 US midterm elections because both parties considered Michigan important to their efforts to control the Senate.
Mr Rogers had previously contested the state’s Senate seat in 2024 but lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin by a narrow margin. He returned for another attempt in 2026 with the backing of Mr Trump.
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However, his campaign faced questions over the president’s economic policies, including tariffs and rising fuel prices, as well as the administration’s position on the war with Iran.
Mr El-Sayed used those issues to challenge the Republican’s closeness to the president, arguing that voters should judge political leaders by their ability to address everyday economic problems.
Declaring victory, Mr El-Sayed thanked supporters for backing his candidacy despite doubts about his chances.
“You took a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates,” he told the crowd, according to the Associated Press.
How El-Sayed’s campaign became controversial
The election was also shaped by disagreements over Mr El-Sayed’s criticism of Israel and his Muslim background.
During the campaign, Mr Trump and other Republican figures questioned his loyalty to the United States and attempted to associate him with terrorist organisations.
Mr El-Sayed rejected the allegations. The Associated Press reported that there was no evidence supporting claims that he or his family had links to terrorist organisations.
The Democrat’s position on Israel also generated criticism from some Jewish voters, who accused him of using rhetoric that contributed to hostility towards their community.
Mr El-Sayed has described Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as genocide and argued that American military assistance to Israel should instead support domestic priorities, including healthcare and education.
His campaign also faced criticism over comments he made following an attack at a Michigan synagogue. He had suggested that “hurt people hurt people” while discussing the attacker’s personal circumstances.
He subsequently apologised to people who felt hurt by his remarks.
The disagreement became a major challenge for Democrats attempting to unite different sections of their support base ahead of the election.
Democratic rival backs Republican
The divisions within the Democratic Party became more visible in the final days of the campaign.
Representative Haley Stevens, whom Mr El-Sayed defeated in the August Democratic primary, publicly endorsed Mr Rogers shortly before the November 3 election.
Stevens had criticised Mr El-Sayed over his handling of concerns about antisemitism and his campaign’s position on Israel.
Her decision to support the Republican candidate was particularly significant because both parties considered the Michigan election important to their national political ambitions.
Mr El-Sayed, however, received support from prominent progressive politicians, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris also campaigned for him as Democrats sought to strengthen support in Detroit.
The Associated Press reported that nearly $60 million was spent by outside groups during the Democratic primary. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) alone spent nearly $30 million opposing Mr El-Sayed.
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