# Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat

> Abdul El-Sayed becomes Michigan's first Muslim US senator after defeating GOP nominee Mike Rogers.
- Title: Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat · Vox | Shortify
- Summary: Abdul El-Sayed becomes Michigan's first Muslim US senator after defeating GOP nominee Mike Rogers. Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Senate race against Mike…
- Keywords: abdul el-sayed, michigan senate, mike rogers, democratic party, senate, michigan, first muslim senator, gop, michigan senate race, senator, us senate, michigan politics
- Source: Vox — https://vox.com/politics/508901/abdul-el-sayed-wins-michigan-senate
- Author: Andrew Prokop
- Published: 2026-11-04T12:20:08+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: abdul el-sayed, michigan senate, mike rogers, democratic party, senate, michigan, first muslim senator, gop, michigan senate race, senator, us senate, michigan politics
## El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race
Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic nomination for an open Senate seat in Michigan in August 2026.
## Historic Senate win
El-Sayed will be the first Muslim to serve in the Senate, marking a historic milestone for the US political landscape.
## Viral political star
El-Sayed's charisma and ability to go viral have already made him a political star, with some fans anticipating a future presidential run.
## Bitter Democratic primary
El-Sayed battled Democratic establishment-backed US Rep. Haley Stevens in one of the most intense and bitter Democratic primaries in the country.
## AIPAC spending
El-Sayed faced $30 million in AIPAC spending on his primary rival Haley Stevens’s behalf.
## Islamophobic attacks
El-Sayed faced Islamophobic attacks from Republicans, including Trump calling him a 'jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member' who would create 'a nightmare of violence and terror' in the US.
## Tensions with pro-Israel Democrats
El-Sayed maintained tense relations with pro-Israel Democrats who argued he was slow to criticize antisemitic rhetoric from his supporters.
## Stevens endorses Rogers
Two days before the election, El-Sayed’s primary rival Haley Stevens endorsed GOP nominee Mike Rogers, saying El-Sayed hadn’t done enough to condemn an antisemitic ad.
## Support from Sanders and Obama
El-Sayed won backing from top Democrats including Sen. Bernie Sanders and former President Barack Obama.
## Key takeaway

Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Senate race against Mike Rogers, becoming the first Muslim US senator.