Abdul El-Sayed First Muslim Senator In US History

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s US Senate race, defeating Republican opponent Mike Rogers following an official race call by the Associated Press. With this historic victory, El-Sayed becomes the first Muslim ever elected to the United States Senate.

From Public Health to the US Senate 
The son of Egyptian immigrants, El-Sayed is epidemiologist who previously served as the health director for the city of Detroit and later Wayne County. He steps into the Senate seat left vacant by retiring Senator Gary Peters.

As a former public health administrator, El-Sayed campaigned on a progressive platform centered on universal healthcare, a wealth tax on billionaires, and expanding affordability and access for everyday Americans and future generations.

A Historic Milestone for Muslim Representation
El-Sayed’s victory marks a major breakthrough in American political history and Muslim representation on Capitol Hill. While several Muslim lawmakers have served in the US House of Representatives, the upper chamber has never before had Muslim representation in its 237-year history.

During his victory speech in the early hours of Wednesday, November 4, 2026, El-Sayed addressed his supporters with heartfelt reflections on the historic journey:

“Tonight, we can turn that InshaAllah into Alhumdulillah”

Source: Associated Press, NPR, BBC