Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat despite racist attacks

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers on November 3, 2026, becoming the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate in history. El-Sayed overcame an intense campaign of anti-Muslim rhetoric from President Donald Trump, over $30 million in primary spending by AIPAC, and a late endorsement of Rogers by former primary rival Rep. Haley Stevens. Running on progressive policies like Medicare for All and opposing foreign military aid, El-Sayed's victory secured a key battleground seat previously held by retiring Sen. Gary Peters, preserving Democratic Senate control.

Election victory and Senate impact

• ▪The Michigan Senate seat won by Abdul El-Sayed was previously held by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters
• ▪Abdul El-Sayed's Senate race victory helped Democrats regain control of the United States Senate following a series of Democratic victories in the November 2026 midterm elections across the country
• ▪Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers to win the United States Senate seat, becoming the first Muslim senator

Anti-Muslim campaign attacks and rhetoric

• ▪President Donald Trump and Republican candidates targeted Abdul El-Sayed with anti-Muslim rhetoric, baselessly accusing El-Sayed of being a communist, a jihadist, and tied to the Muslim Brotherhood
• ▪President Donald Trump stated during the campaign that any Black or Jewish voter supporting Abdul El-Sayed was crazy, aiming to peel African American voters away from the Democratic coalition

Primary opposition and Israel stance

• ▪Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official and critic of Israeli policies, accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and called for ending United States aid to Israel
• ▪The American Israel Public Affairs Committee spent more than $30 million opposing Abdul El-Sayed during the August 2026 Democratic primary campaign in Michigan

Haley Stevens endorsement controversy

• ▪Following Haley Stevens' endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers, Democratic leadership called Stevens' endorsement of Rogers a despicable betrayal, and members of Stevens' congressional staff resigned in mass
• ▪Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the final days before the November 3, 2026 election after losing the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed

El-sayed's progressive campaign

• ▪Abdul El-Sayed campaigned alongside progressive leaders Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during his campaign
• ▪Abdul El-Sayed campaigned on expanding government-funded healthcare through Medicare for All, getting money out of politics, establishing a wealth tax on billionaires, and addressing the affordability crisis

Voter turnout and election concerns

• ▪High voter turnout was recorded on November 3, 2026 in Dearborn, Michigan, where Arab American and Muslim voters formed long lines at polling stations to oppose anti-Muslim campaign rhetoric
• ▪Voters in Detroit cited concerns over Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations during the November 2026 election

Abdul El-Sayed's family

• ▪Dr. Sarah Jukaku featured in campaign advertisements for Abdul El-Sayed, speaking about the union support she received following medical complications after childbirth
• ▪Abdul El-Sayed lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife, psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Jukaku, and their two daughters, Emmalee and Serene