El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat
The progressive candidate defeats Mike Rogers, becoming the first Muslim U.S. senator and securing a key Democratic victory.
By Luka Evans ·
Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers on Tuesday to claim Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. The victory marks a major shift for the Democratic Party's left wing in one of the nation's most competitive swing states. El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, will become the first Muslim member of the U.S. Senate.
The former public health official had never held elected office before this win. He rose from a double-digit loss in the state's gubernatorial primary eight years ago to secure a seat in Congress. His campaign relied on grassroots organizing rather than the massive outside spending that characterized both the primary and general election.
El-Sayed campaigned on a platform centered on universal health care, specifically a Medicare for All proposal. He also focused on removing outside money from elections and offered sharp criticism of Israel. Progressive leaders, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, helped build momentum for his candidacy. Ocasio-Cortez joined him for a final campaign swing through the Upper Peninsula and Detroit area.
Rogers, a former congressman and House Intelligence Committee chair, faced challenges balancing his loyalty to President Donald Trump with voter concerns. High fuel prices and economic turmoil from tariffs, linked by some to the war in Iran, complicated his message. Rogers, who narrowly lost to Elissa Slotkin in 2024, sought to expand his support among Democrats and independents, particularly Black and Jewish voters.
The race featured bitter attacks over El-Sayed's stance on Israel. Trump and other Republicans linked him to terrorist organizations, a connection El-Sayed's team said lacked evidence. They also questioned his loyalty to the United States. The contentious primary in August drew nearly $60 million in outside spending, with AIPAC contributing nearly $30 million to oppose El-Sayed, its largest investment in a single race.
El-Sayed faced internal party challenges after the primary. Rep. Haley Stevens, his primary opponent, endorsed Rogers on Nov. 1, citing unaddressed concerns from the Jewish community. El-Sayed had previously apologized for his statement that "hurt people hurt people" following an attack on a Michigan synagogue. He later said he was "sorry" to anyone who found the comments hurtful. His appearances with political streamer Hasan Piker also drew criticism.
Concerns about Black voter turnout in Detroit persisted after Stevens carried Wayne County in the primary. Former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned with El-Sayed in the city to mobilize voters. El-Sayed emerged from the bruising August primary to win the general election, providing evidence that candidates embracing a progressive agenda can win in critical battleground states.
