Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to US Senate in Michigan
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's US Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate. The former public health official campaigned on universal healthcare and government accountability in the battleground state. El-Sayed narrowly won the August 2026 Democratic primary over Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Rogers, a former House Intelligence Committee chairman, was making his second Senate attempt after losing to Elissa Slotkin in 2024. The race drew national attention as Democrats sought Senate control. El-Sayed, a Rhodes Scholar and physician, faced criticism over Israel-related comments and was called a "jihadist" by President Trump without evidence. His wife Sarah Jukaku has family roots in Bhatkal, Karnataka, where relatives welcomed the historic victory.