El-Sayed Wins Historic US Senate Race in Michigan Despite Islamophobic Attacks
Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's US Senate race on Tuesday, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate despite an Islamophobic campaign against him. He framed the victory as a rejection of hate-based politics. President Donald Trump and Republican opponent Mike Rogers led attacks branding El-Sayed a terrorist and jihadist, with campaign materials alleging terrorist ties and sharia law plans. El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health director, ran on healthcare and cost-of-living issues. Voters largely dismissed the attacks as distractions from economic concerns, though some cited his faith in backing Rogers. Dearborn residents reported increased anti-Muslim hostility, while El-Sayed's win was part of broader Democratic gains in the midterms.