Michigan voters turn to El-Sayed despite months of identity attacks
The senator-elect leads by seven points as every county in the state moves toward Democrats.
By Alina Marshall ·
Voters in Michigan chose Abdul El-Sayed over Mike Rogers in a race defined by intense personal attacks on El-Sayed’s Muslim faith. The Associated Press called the result early Wednesday, handing Democrats a key win in a pivotal swing state. This victory secures a substantial majority for the party in the Senate following Tuesday’s midterm elections.
With roughly 97 percent of the vote tallied, El-Sayed holds a seven-point lead over Rogers. AP voting data shows that every single county in Michigan shifted toward the Democratic candidate compared to the 2024 cycle. This statewide movement stands out in a year where margins were often tight. The result confirms a clear preference for El-Sayed across the state’s diverse geographic regions.
El-Sayed will become the first Muslim senator in U.S. history. He spoke to the AP by phone on Wednesday, describing the morning as a moment of reflection. He noted that his three-year-old daughter has not yet grasped the significance of the win, while his eight-year-old views it as a normal part of life. He told the news agency that his daughters will read about this moment in history books.
The campaign saw months of Republican efforts to question El-Sayed’s identity. President Donald Trump repeatedly labeled the senator-elect a “jihadist” who supported terrorists. El-Sayed said Michigan voters rejected what he called a “hateful, spiteful campaign” that focused on his name and face rather than policy issues. He claimed that every county pushed back against that narrative.
Rogers and El-Sayed had not spoken as of Wednesday afternoon, even after Rogers issued a concession statement. This silence contrasts with the 2024 race, where then-candidate Elissa Slotkin called Mike Rogers to concede before the AP had officially called the race. The combative nature of the current contest is evident in their lack of direct contact since the results were finalized.
El-Sayed’s path to the Senate included a double-digit loss in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary. He later upset an establishment-backed candidate in a primary where he was outspent by tens of millions of dollars. He attributed his success to doing the ground-level work that allows old-fashioned politics to succeed. He stated that the election win is not the final goal, but rather a tool for what he can accomplish with the seat.
The senator-elect did not commit to supporting current Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer for another term. He said he does not yet know who else might run for the position, though Schumer is expected to retain leadership. El-Sayed added that he believes the party needs new leadership and that people are hungry for change.
