Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, was elected the first Muslim US Senator from Michigan on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, defeating Republican Mike Rogers. His victory gives the Democratic Party a decisive majority in the Senate.El-Sayed secured approximately 52 percent of the vote, while Rogers received 46 percent, according to unofficial results from Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026. The Associated Press declared El-Sayed’s victory at 11:27 PM local time on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.In his victory speech in Detroit, El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, stated, “Michigan, we did it! I am so proud and honored to stand here as your Senator-elect from a great state like Michigan.” He also criticized Republicans for running “one of the ugliest campaigns we’ve seen in our lifetime.”Rogers, in a statement released after the election, said he and his wife Kristy had met people across Michigan who want solutions, not division. He highlighted his focus on literacy, affordable housing, manufacturing jobs, Detroit’s food deserts, and rising antisemitism. During the campaign, Rogers had accused El-Sayed of being a “jihadi” and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, implying that his election could lead to American deaths. Former US President Donald Trump and other Republicans also attempted to link El-Sayed to terrorist organizations, though no evidence supported these claims.This election was the most expensive in Michigan’s history, with over $243 million spent. Republican groups spent approximately $104 million, while Democratic organizations spent $55 million.
Background
- Abdul El-Sayed was born on October 31, 1984, in Rochester Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, to Egyptian immigrant parents.
- He graduated from the University of Michigan and earned a doctorate in public health from Oxford University, in addition to a medical degree from Columbia University.
- El-Sayed served as the Executive Director of the Detroit Health Department from 2015 to 2017 and as the Director of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services from 2023 to 2025.
- He previously ran for Michigan Governor in the Democratic primary in 2018 but was defeated.
What happens next
Abdul El-Sayed will assume his position in the US Senate on January 3, 2027. He has stated his priorities include reducing healthcare costs, supporting "Medicare for All," expanding union rights by passing the PRO Act, removing money from politics, and investing in education and literacy.
