Democrat Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat, first Muslim senator

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, CBS News projected. This victory marks El-Sayed as the first Muslim American to be elected to the U.S. Senate, according to NPR News.

El-Sayed, a former Michigan health official and epidemiologist aligned with the Democratic Party's progressive wing, ran on a leftist platform. He faced significant opposition, including Islamophobic attacks from prominent Republicans such as former President Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, NBC News reported.

The race was contentious, with El-Sayed overcoming challenges including a last-minute endorsement of his opponent by former Democratic primary rival Haley Stevens, who criticized El-Sayed's response to an ad she deemed antisemitic, CBS News noted.

El-Sayed's win helped the Democratic Party secure control of the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, as CBS News projected Democrats flipped the chamber's control with multiple key victories.

This election result highlights the success of a progressive candidate in a competitive Midwestern state and the broader shift in Senate control following the 2026 elections.