Abdul El-Sayed, an Egyptian American Democrat and former public health official, has made history after defeating Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely watched midterm election.
The 42-year-old progressive won the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, becoming the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.
His victory followed a campaign shaped by debates over healthcare, the cost of living and US military support for Israel, as well as divisions within the Democratic Party.
From public health to politics
Born in Rochester Hills, Michigan, to Egyptian immigrant parents, El-Sayed initially pursued a career in medicine and public health.
He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2007 before earning a doctorate in public health from the University of Oxford in 2011 as a Rhodes Scholar. He later received his medical degree from Columbia University in 2014.
In 2015, El-Sayed became health director for Detroit, where he oversaw efforts to rebuild public health services following the city’s financial crisis. He held the position until 2017, when he left to pursue an unsuccessful campaign for Michigan governor.
El-Sayed lost the Democratic primary in 2018 to Gretchen Whitmer, who went on to become governor.
He returned to public service in 2023 as director of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, a position he held until 2025.
A progressive campaign
El-Sayed re-entered electoral politics in 2026, defeating Representative Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary in August.
His campaign received support from prominent progressives, including Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib.
He pledged to expand healthcare access through Medicare for All, reduce housing costs, limit the influence of wealthy donors in politics and improve economic opportunities for working families.
His criticism of US military support for Israel also became a defining feature of the campaign. El-Sayed described Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as genocide and called for an end to unconditional American military assistance.
Those positions generated controversy, particularly within the Democratic Party.
Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated in the primary, broke with her party two days before the general election to endorse Rogers. She cited concerns about El-Sayed’s campaign rhetoric and political associations.
The endorsement drew criticism from fellow Democrats but did not prevent El-Sayed from winning the seat.
Muslim identity and historic breakthrough
El-Sayed’s Muslim faith became a prominent issue during the race, with President Donald Trump and other Republican figures criticising him over his religion and political positions.
He rejected the attacks, arguing that Trump was using his name and faith to distract from rising living costs and economic challenges facing Americans.
His election marks a milestone for Muslim representation in the Senate. Muslim Americans have previously served in the House of Representatives, including Keith Ellison, who became the first Muslim elected to Congress in 2006.
Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar made history in 2018 as the first Muslim women elected to Congress.
El-Sayed’s victory now takes that representation to the Senate, adding a new chapter to the political history of Muslim Americans in the United States.
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