"Michigan, we did it": First Muslim elected to the US Senate
In the state of Michigan, progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate in history. The state's most expensive election campaign was marked by attacks targeting his religion and name.
"Michigan, we did it": The first Muslim elected to the US Senate
In the midterm elections held on November 3, progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a candidate for the US Senate from the state of Michigan, defeated Republican Mike Rogers. The 42-year-old El-Sayed became the first Muslim elected to the Senate in US history; he will take office in January.
With 96 percent of the votes counted, El-Sayed garnered more than 2 million 480 thousand votes — 52.4 percent, while Rogers received over 2 million 154 thousand votes — 45.6 percent. Lydia Christensen from the Libertarian Party received 1 percent of the vote.
El-Sayed replaces Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who did not run for re-election. Thus, the Democrats retained the seat they have held since 1979.
Although recent polls showed El-Sayed slightly ahead, the race was considered tight until the end.
El-Sayed dominated in counties with major cities such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint. The state's rural areas mostly voted for Rogers.
"You chose hatred, and Michigan chose hope"
Former public health official Abdul El-Sayed celebrated his victory about an hour before the AP and major television networks announced the result. He took the stage at an event organized by Michigan Democrats in Detroit and said:
"Michigan, we did it."
His speech was unlike typical victory speeches: El-Sayed did not call for unity and bipartisan cooperation. He described his campaign as a campaign of hope, and the campaign of his opponent — former congressman and FBI agent Mike Rogers — as an advertising campaign run on corporate money.