# Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race as first Muslim senator

> Left-wing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeats Republican Mike Rogers in battleground Michigan to become the US's first Muslim senator, after a campaign marked by anti-Muslim attacks and a controversial endorsement switch.
- Title: Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race as first Muslim…
- Summary: Left-wing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeats Republican Mike Rogers in battleground Michigan to become the US's first Muslim senator, after a campaign marked by…
- Keywords: abdul el-sayed, michigan, us senate, 2024 election, muslim americans, democrats, mike rogers, haley stevens, BBC News
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c893z55pxrewo
- Published: 2026-11-04T10:03:19.2+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: abdul el-sayed, michigan, us senate, 2024 election, muslim americans, democrats, mike rogers, haley stevens, news, world
## Democrat wins Michigan Senate seat
Left-wing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won in Michigan to become the US's first Muslim senator, defeating Republican Mike Rogers after a campaign fuelled by withering attacks and inter-party disputes.
## Republican attacks on El-Sayed
Mike Rogers, backed by President Donald Trump, portrayed El-Sayed as a communist, criticising his stance on Israel and his Muslim faith. Attacks included baselessly tying him to terrorism.
## El-Sayed's left-wing platform
The former public health administrator campaigned on universal health care and a wealth tax on billionaires. On the campaign trail, he described Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.
## Democratic rival endorses Republican
Days before the election, El-Sayed's Democratic primary rival Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers. Democratic leadership called it a despicable betrayal and her staff reportedly resigned in mass.
## El-Sayed's victory speech
El-Sayed thanked supporters for taking a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates and accused opponents of attacking him because of his name and faith. They wanted an America too small for some.

> They wanted an America that is too small for some of us. We know that this is an America that is big enough for all of us.
## Muslim Americans celebrate milestone
Roula Allouch, an Arab American Muslim, told the BBC she had goosebumps from the success. She said she was proud of Abdul, his campaign, and his family's perseverance through hate and Islamophobic rhetoric.
## Significance for next generation
El-Sayed, forty-two, represents a generation of Arab Americans and Muslims born in the United States to immigrant parents and grew up in post-nine-eleven America. His win signals to younger generations they can succeed.

> If someone with the name of Abdul can make it, that means this next generation can look up and say that they can too.
## Democrats strengthen Senate control
The Michigan Senate seat, previously held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters, was considered one of the tightest races in Tuesday's midterm elections. El-Sayed's win further cements Democrats' control of the Senate.
## Test of Democratic left's influence
The contest was widely seen as a test of the political influence of the Democratic left in Michigan, a key battleground state, following primary wins by democratic socialist candidates in more politically favoured districts.
## Key takeaway

Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Senate race to become the US's first Muslim senator, defeating Republican Mike Rogers after a campaign fuelled by anti-Muslim rhetoric and intra-party conflict.