How Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Senate race
When Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic nomination for an open Senate seat in Michigan back in August, it teed up the first true swing-state test for the party’s left faction, which had largely been confined to representing progressive enclaves in the Trump era. They just passed that test. El-Sayed defeated GOP nominee Mike Rogers, […]
On November 4, 2026, Abdul El-Sayed secured a narrow victory in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, marking a historic moment as the first Muslim elected to the Senate. Previously, El-Sayed had battled Democratic establishment-backed opponent Haley Stevens in one of the most intense and contentious primaries in the nation. The race was marked by a $30 million outflow of AIPAC funds supporting Stevens, who was a staunch supporter of Israel.
This intense competition culminated in a slim victory for El-Sayed, who would go on to defeat Republican nominee Mike Rogers in the general election. El-Sayed's campaign was rooted in his progressive platform, which advocated for Medicare-for-all, dismantling the ICE agency, and a full arms embargo on Israel. Despite having to contend with Islamophobic attacks from Republicans and tensions with pro-Israel Democrats, El-Sayed's charisma and ability to resonate with the public propelled him to victory.
With his win, El-Sayed is set to become the newest U.S. Senator from Michigan in January, representing a new generation of the Democratic Party's left wing.
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