Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s open US Senate race, defeating Republican Mike Rogers and becoming the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate, according to projections reported on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
The result was confirmed in election projections reported by the Associated Press and Reuters. It means Democrats have retained a seat previously held by retiring Senator Gary Peters, rather than taking a Republican-held seat.
El-Sayed declared victory at an election-night gathering in Detroit early on Wednesday. He thanked supporters for backing a campaign that had faced opposition from both Republicans and sections of his own party.
A historic first for the US Senate
El-Sayed, 42, is a physician and former public health official whose parents came to the United States from Egypt. He previously served in Detroit’s public health administration and as head of Wayne County’s health department. His victory makes him the first Muslim elected to the Senate, although Muslim politicians have served in the US House of Representatives for nearly two decades.
He campaigned on a proposed universal healthcare system known as Medicare for All, reducing household costs, limiting the influence of wealthy political donors and opposing US military assistance to Israel. Those positions won progressive support but also attracted substantial opposition.
How El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers
Rogers, 63, a former congressman and FBI agent, was backed by President Donald Trump. He had narrowly lost Michigan’s 2024 Senate election to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. During the 2026 campaign he sought to distinguish himself from El-Sayed on national security, healthcare and US policy towards Israel.
The contest followed an especially divisive Democratic primary. Congresswoman Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated for the nomination, endorsed Rogers just two days before the general election. Her decision exposed internal party tensions but did not prevent El-Sayed’s victory.
The campaign included attacks on El-Sayed’s Muslim faith and allegations about associations with extremist organisations. El-Sayed denied alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood, and Reuters reported that evidence supporting the allegations had not been produced. Criticism of his policy positions, particularly on Israel and Gaza, was also a significant feature of the contest.
Fish 4 News previously reported on Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers and Rogers’ positions on Canada and the Iran war.
What the result means for control of Congress
Michigan’s result preserves a Democratic-held Senate seat after Gary Peters’ retirement. It forms part of the wider 3 November midterm election results, in which the Associated Press and Reuters report that Democrats have won control of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate. The new Congress will take office in January 2027.
An election-night projection is not the same as formal certification. Michigan’s state and county election authorities are responsible for canvassing and certifying the votes, and the final totals can be revised during that process. The Michigan Department of State provides election records and results, while Bridge Michigan is tracking the local count.
