Michigan Senate: Abdul El-Sayed defeats Mike Rogers
The 42-year-old former public health official becomes the first Muslim American senator after winning a closely contested race in a key swing state.
By Rebecca Foster ·
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has claimed victory in the Michigan U.S. Senate race, according to an Associated Press call.
The win secures a critical seat for the Democratic Party in its effort to reclaim the majority in the Senate. El-Sayed will become the first Muslim American to serve in the chamber. He defeated former Republican Representative Mike Rogers, who also lost his initial Senate bid in 2024.
El-Sayed built his campaign around high cost of living and perceived corruption. He focused on passing single-payer healthcare and reducing corporate influence in politics. His approach energized young and infrequent voters in the state. He is not a democratic socialist, a distinction he maintained while receiving backing from prominent figures on the political left.
The race highlighted internal tensions within the Democratic base. El-Sayed’s stance on Israel drew criticism from some Jewish voters. This included his comments after a truck-ramming attack at a synagogue preschool in metro Detroit, for which he later apologized. He also campaigned with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker during the primary. In the primary, El-Sayed narrowly defeated Representative Haley Stevens by about one percentage point. State leaders, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer and retiring Senator Gary Peters, had backed Stevens.
The path to the general election was marked by shifting alliances. Stevens initially said she would support the Democratic ticket but later reversed course to endorse Rogers. Polls showed a tight race between El-Sayed and Rogers in the final weeks. Democrats have held the Michigan Senate seat since 1979.
During the campaign, El-Sayed accused Rogers and other Republicans, including President Trump, of using Islamophobic rhetoric. Trump endorsed Rogers early in the race. Rogers had previously embraced some of the president’s claims about election fraud, despite earlier condemning them after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. As November approached, Rogers attempted to distance himself from some presidential policies, including the war in Iran.
El-Sayed is a Michigan native who previously ran health departments in Wayne County and Detroit. He first entered politics in 2018 with an unsuccessful bid for governor. His victory positions him as a prominent voice within the party. Michigan holds a prime spot in the presidential nominating process for 2028.
