MICHIGAN, November 4, 2026: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has been projected to win Michigan’s closely contested US Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, putting the 42-year-old on course to become the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Decision Desk HQ and Fox News called the race for El-Sayed at approximately 2 a.m. on Wednesday. With 70 percent of ballots counted, he had secured 52 percent of the vote against Rogers’ 46 percent.
El-Sayed, a former public health official of Egyptian immigrant heritage, is set to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who decided not to seek another term after serving twice in the Senate.
A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, El-Sayed previously served as health director for Detroit and Wayne County. He is expected to take office in January 2027, when the new Congress convenes.
His victory marks a historic milestone for Muslim representation in American politics and comes after a campaign focused on healthcare affordability, economic pressures and the influence of corporate money in Washington.
El-Sayed also made US foreign policy a prominent election issue, particularly Washington’s relationship with Israel and the economic consequences of the war with Iran.
A vocal critic of the Israeli government’s policies towards Palestinians, he called for an end to US military assistance to Israel and argued that federal resources should instead support healthcare, education and other domestic priorities.
Throughout the campaign, El-Sayed highlighted rising fuel and grocery prices, warning that American households were bearing the financial consequences of overseas military engagements, including the conflict with Iran.
His positions on Israel and Palestine also attracted criticism from political opponents. Campaign advertisements portrayed him as sympathetic to extremism and terrorism, allegations he rejected while repeatedly condemning antisemitism and political violence.
El-Sayed received backing from prominent progressive figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as the United Auto Workers union.
His campaign emphasised reducing corporate influence in politics, increasing disposable income for working families and expanding access to healthcare.
Rogers, a former FBI agent and conservative Republican, represented Michigan in the US House of Representatives from 2001 to 2015 and previously chaired the House Intelligence Committee.
The Michigan contest became one of the most expensive Senate races of the election cycle. Preliminary figures from campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets indicated that outside groups spent more than $300 million, while the two candidates collectively raised over $100 million.
El-Sayed’s projected victory came as Democrats recorded gains in both chambers of Congress during the midterm elections, strengthening the party’s position in Washington.
Addressing supporters after the race was called, El-Sayed thanked Michigan voters for placing their trust in him and said he looked forward to serving the state in the US Senate.