Internet, Nov. 4: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has reportedly won Michigan’s Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate. The 42 year old politician defeated Republican former US Representative Mike Rogers.
Decision Desk HQ called the race early Wednesday, November 4, following the US midterm elections held on November 3.
According to Decision Desk HQ, El-Sayed secured 1,897,833 votes, accounting for 50.88 per cent. Meanwhile, Rogers received 1,758,007 votes, or 47.14 per cent. The count covered 77 per cent of the expected vote.
Abdul El-Sayed Celebrates Historic Senate Victory
Speaking at his election headquarters in Detroit, El-Sayed celebrated his victory. He told supporters, “Michigan, we did it!”
He also expressed pride in becoming Michigan’s senator-elect. Referring to his frequent use of Islamic expressions, he said, “Inshallah” had now become “Alhamdulillah”.
El-Sayed also addressed President Donald Trump over his difficulty pronouncing his name. He joked that Trump could simply call him Senator after his swearing-in in January.
El-Sayed: You’ll notice I always say “Inshallah.” Tonight, we can turn that “Inshallah” into “Alhamdulillah” https://t.co/3CUB2ZK7cs
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) November 4, 2026
He further directed a remark at Vice President JD Vance, who is constitutionally responsible for administering the oath to incoming senators.
El-Sayed also criticised the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He claimed the organisation spent $42 million campaigning against him.
El-Sayed has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. He has also opposed US military aid to Israel.
During his campaign, he said Democrats must hold President Donald Trump accountable if they gained control of both chambers of Congress. He also called for efforts to end the war.
Before the election, El-Sayed said he was not running simply to become the first Muslim senator. Instead, he said his goal was to represent the people of Michigan.
Who Is Abdul El-Sayed?
Abdul El-Sayed was born on October 31, 1984, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. His parents immigrated to the United States from Egypt. He grew up in the Detroit area.
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He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2007 with degrees in biology and political science. Later, he became a Rhodes Scholar and earned a doctorate in public health from the University of Oxford.
He subsequently earned his medical degree from Columbia University in 2014. He also taught epidemiology at Columbia before entering public service.
In 2015, aged 30, he became Detroit’s health director. From 2022 to 2025, he led the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services.
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His first major electoral contest came in 2018. He contested the Democratic nomination for Michigan governor but lost to Gretchen Whitmer.
El-Sayed launched his Senate campaign in April 2025. His campaign focused on progressive policies, including Medicare for All and healthcare access.
He also pledged to reject political action committee contributions. He said he wanted to reduce corporate and special interest influence in politics.
In August 2026, he won the Democratic Senate primary with 48.45 per cent of the vote. He defeated US Representative Haley Stevens to secure the party’s nomination.
The Associated Press also reported his victory in the Michigan Senate race on November 4.
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