In a landmark result for Michigan and the Senate, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in the state’s US Senate race, US networks projected, becoming the first Muslim elected to Congress’s upper chamber.
“Michigan, we did it!” Mr El-Sayed told a roaring crowd as hundreds of supporters packed his Detroit election headquarters, hugging and shouting as the call came in.
“I am so proud and honoured to stand here as your senator-elect from the great state of Michigan.”
His win came even after a late jolt to the campaign: congresswoman Haley Stevens, whom Mr El-Sayed had beaten in the Democratic primary, endorsed Mr Rogers at the eleventh hour.
A medical administrator by background, Mr El-Sayed built his bid around unapologetically left-leaning pledges — including universal health care — and delivered Democrats a critical Senate seat to succeed retiring Gary Peters.
Networks called the contest with Mr El-Sayed holding a lead of nearly six points over Mr Rogers.
Abdul El-Sayed is joined by his wife Sarah Jukaku at the midterm election night watch party
For those celebrating in downtown Detroit, the moment felt like a release after a bruising season.
“We are sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I’m so proud of all the work. It was boots on the ground. We were always out, but we were never outworked,” said party-goer entrepreneur Trunetta Roach, who came to the victory party in US flag-design diamante high-heels.
“I’m feeling elated. The kids are all right. I was concerned about them. They didn’t seem very engaged, but I was wrong. They showed up.”
‘Swear me in’
The campaign unfolded against a barrage of aggressive Republican messaging, with opponents casting Democrats as communists and labelling Mr El-Sayed a terrorist who would put Americans at risk.
Mr El-Sayed, 42, countered with a blunt promise to help families squeezed by costs find their way through what he described as a broken, for-profit health care system.
“You deserve to be able to see a doctor without getting a huge bill,” he told Michiganders on the eve of Election Day, arguing for an overhaul of the country’s divisive, multi-billion-dollar private medical model.
Along the way, he drew large crowds across Michigan — including stops in heavily conservative, Republican areas — a presence allies said set his campaign apart.
He also pressed for getting “money out of politics” while speaking directly to the economic strain that has left many voters eager for a fresh face to disrupt the status quo.
With the victory, Mr El-Sayed became the first Democratic doctor elected to the Senate since 1969.
“Everybody in politics is so trash. So to see ethical Muslims be at the forefront representing us and showing everybody what we’re actually about… it means everything,” said one supporter.
Inside the victory party, clusters of attendees formed around TVs tuned to the left-leaning cable outlet MS NOW, erupting whenever the Democrat’s familiar blue graphic flashed across the screen to mark another win for the party.
Supporters mingled with progressive influencers and union activists — organizers who brought the campaign a powerful ground operation and helped connect Mr El-Sayed with Michigan’s sizable organized labour base.
Eboni Taylor, a vice-president at Higher Heights, an organization that supports Black women running for office, said Mr El-Sayed had surprised even seasoned observers with where he campaigned.
“What’s most remarkable is that he’s showing up in places that are not the usual prescription for the Democratic Party. He’s going wherever the people want him to be,” Ms Taylor said, pausing between social-media livestreams and bursts of celebratory dancing.
Mr El-Sayed also endured Islamophobic attacks and ridicule of his Arabic name from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance — a line of attack he referenced as he looked ahead to taking office.
In his victory speech, he addressed the vice president directly: “you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January.”
