In a historic victory, progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan's high-stakes US Senate race also becoming the first Muslim elected to the chamber.
Abdul El-Sayed, a 42-year-old epidemiologist and former public health official, defeated Republican former Representative Mike Rogers. His win maintains Democratic control of the seat left open by retiring Senator Gary Peters and extends a Republican Senate losing streak in Michigan dating back to 1994.
The aggressive campaign saw El-Sayed overcome intensive opposition. During the Democratic primary the pro-Israel group AIPAC spent tens of millions of dollars backing his chief opponent the Representative Haley Stevens. Stevens later broke party ranks to endorse Rogers in the general election with citing El-Sayed's sharp criticism of the Israeli government.
Throughout the campaign El-Sayed faced Islamophobic attacks and unevidenced claims of extremist ties from opponents including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Rogers also struggled to overcome voter discontent with rising inflation, tariffs and federal economic policies.
El-Sayed anchored his platform on expanding healthcare, reducing money in politics and protecting public health.
"Michigan, we did it" El-Sayed told supporters during his victory speech. "I am proud and honored to stand here as your senator-elect. I cannot wait to serve you with big-heartedness, open-mindedness and grit."
His victory forms part of a broader Democratic wave across key Senate battlegrounds in the 2026 midterm elections.
