Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to US Senate in Michigan victory
The 42-year-old Democrat defeated Republican Mike Rogers to secure a historic win in the key swing state.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won the open US Senate seat in Michigan, becoming the first Muslim elected to the chamber, according to reports from Al Jazeera, Deccan Chronicle and Hindustan Times. The 42-year-old physician and former public health official defeated Republican Mike Rogers in a closely contested race.
Addressing supporters in Detroit on Wednesday, El-Sayed mocked US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their previous rhetoric against him. He noted that Vance is constitutionally obligated to swear him in in January. El-Sayed told Trump that when the swearing-in occurs, the President can call him 'senator'.
The campaign was marked by attacks on El-Sayed's faith. Al Jazeera reported that Trump called him a 'jihadist' and mocked his name, while Vance described him as a 'psychopath'. Deccan Chronicle noted that Rogers had attempted to cast El-Sayed as a radical candidate, a claim El-Sayed denies.
El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, ran a grassroots campaign focused on economic inequality and healthcare. His platform included Medicare for All, a government-funded universal healthcare programme. He also pledged to tackle the cost of living and reduce corporate influence in politics.
The victory is seen as a breakthrough for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party in a crucial swing state. El-Sayed is the first Democratic physician to serve in the US Senate since 1969. With more than 95 per cent of votes tallied, he is projected to win more than 52 per cent of the vote.
