Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to US Senate
The Michigan Democrat defeated Republican Mike Rogers to make history in the recent elections, according to The Times of India.
Abdul El-Sayed, a 42-year-old Democrat from Michigan, has become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. He defeated Republican Mike Rogers to secure the seat, according to a report by The Times of India.
During his victory celebration, El-Sayed addressed Vice-President JD Vance and Donald Trump. He noted the irony that Vance is constitutionally required to swear him in during January. He also suggested that Trump, who had previously struggled with his name, could simply call him senator after the swearing-in ceremony.
The campaign saw Republicans raise issues regarding El-Sayed's Muslim faith and questioning his loyalties. Trump had previously suggested the senator-elect was a security risk. El-Sayed was born in Rochester Hills, Michigan, to Egyptian immigrant parents and is a medical doctor.
The election results also saw other Muslim Americans secure terms, including Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Aisha Wahab of California. El-Sayed's wife, Sarah Jukaku, is an American-born psychiatrist with Indian roots in Karnataka.
The results also indicated a win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York both won re-election. Other progressives and Democratic socialists, including Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, are also joining the cohort.
