---
title: "Abdul El-Sayed Becomes First Muslim in US Senate: Historic Democratic Victory in Michigan"
description: "Abdul El-Sayed, an Egyptian-American physician, won the Senate election in Michigan to become the first Muslim in the upper chamber of the US Congress. Democrats secured majorities in both houses."
date: 2026-11-04T22:10:59.421Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/abdul-el-sayed-first-muslim-us-senate-michigan
tags: [us-senate, abdel-el-sayed, michigan, midterm-elections-2026, democratic-party, muslim-american-politics]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Abdul El-Sayed Becomes First Muslim in US Senate: Historic Democratic Victory in Michigan

![Abdul El-Sayed speaking in front of US and Michigan flags during his victory speech](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/abdel-el-sayed-pervyy-musulmanin-v-senate-ssa-michigan/abdel-el-sayed-pervyy-musulmanin-v-senate-ssa-michigan-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, defeating Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan by about six percentage points
- The campaign was marked by anti-Muslim rhetoric; in his victory speech, El-Sayed addressed Vice President Vance as "habibi"
- Democrats won 54 seats in the Senate and 225 in the House, restoring majorities in both houses of Congress

On the night of November 4, 2026, an event occurred in the state of Michigan that will go down in the history of American politics: Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed won the US Senate election, becoming the first Muslim elected to the upper house of Congress. According to preliminary data, the 42-year-old El-Sayed received about 52% of the vote, while his opponent, Republican and former congressman Mike Rogers, won about 46%, a margin of roughly six percentage points. Democrats retained the Senate seat vacated by Gary Peters, thereby strengthening their position in a key swing state.

### A Candidate from the World of Healthcare

Abdul El-Sayed is the son of Egyptian immigrant parents, a physician, and a public health executive. Prior to running for federal office, he had not held elected office, but his professional background in medicine and healthcare system management became one of the key arguments of his campaign. In his victory speech delivered at headquarters in Detroit, El-Sayed came out to the crowd alongside his wife, Sarah Jaquith. "Michigan, we did it! I am incredibly proud and honored to stand here as your elected senator, representing the great state of Michigan," he told hundreds of supporters filling the hall.

### A Campaign Under Pressure from Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

The election campaign in Michigan was accompanied, according to observers, by targeted anti-Muslim rhetoric aimed at undermining El-Sayed's candidacy. His opponents and a number of Republican speakers, including Vice President JD Vance, actively used the candidate's religious affiliation as a tool for political attack. El-Sayed responded to these attacks with restraint, but firmness. In particular, he stated that President Donald Trump could "just call me senator after November of this year," emphasizing that the election result makes him a full member of the Senate regardless of the head of state's personal opinions.

### "JD, Habibi": An Address to Vance

Particular attention in the victory speech was drawn by El-Sayed's personal address to Vice President JD Vance, who during the campaign had made harsh attacks against him. The Democrat called Vance "habibi" — an Arabic word meaning "dear" or "beloved" — and ironically remarked, "JD, habibi, what a delightful irony that under the Constitution you are required to swear me in in January." This statement was received by the hall as a demonstration of confidence and at the same time as a soft, yet tangible political gesture, emphasizing that the winner of the campaign does not intend to enter into a personal feud with the current administration.

### Broader Context: Democrats Secure Majorities in Both Houses

El-Sayed's victory was part of the broader picture of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections. Following the count, the Democratic Party won 54 seats in the Senate, exceeding the 51 needed to restore a majority, as well as 225 seats in the House of Representatives, which is above the 218-seat threshold required to control the lower chamber. Thus, Democrats regained legislative initiative in Congress. According to the Lithuanian publication Delfi, an openly gay man and the first black female state governor were also elected to the Senate for the first time, making these elections some of the most symbolic in recent US history.

### Significance for American Politics

Abdul El-Sayed's election to the Senate has significance extending beyond a single state. For the US Muslim community, numbering several million people, this is the first time a representative of their faith has secured a seat in the upper house of Congress. For Michigan — a state with a multinational population and the industrial center of Detroit — the victory of a second-generation immigrant candidate signaled that ethnic and religious background are ceasing to be barriers to a federal political career. Ahead for El-Sayed are his swearing-in in January 2027 and work in the Senate, where Democrats will likely shape the legislative agenda for the next two years.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Первый мусульманин, избранный в Сенат США.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/nguoi-hoi-giao-dau-tien-duoc-bau-vao-thuong-vien-my) - Базовый текст: победа Эль-Сайеда, 54 места демократов в Сенате, 225 в Палате представителей, цитата о Трампе.
- [«Хабиби»: первый избранный сенатор-мусульманин в США обратился к Трампу (ВИДЕО)](https://rus.azattyq-ruhy.kz/world/118776-khabibi-pervyi-izbrannyi-senator-musulmanin-v-ssha-obratilsia-k-trampu-video) - Проценты 52/46, отрыв 6 п.п., место освобождено после Гэри Питерса, обращение «хабиби» к Вэнсу, цитата о присяге в январе.
- [Историческая ночь в США! Мусульманский кандидат победил, зал рухнул](https://ru.haberler.com/russian-news-2328825/) - Возраст 42 года, жена Сара Джукаку, работа в общественном здравоохранении, результаты по данным AP, сцена в Детройте.
- [В Сенат впервые избраны мусульманин и открытый гей, первая темнокожая женщина стала ...](https://www.delfi.lt/ru/news/abroad/v-senat-vpervye-izbrany-musulmanin-i-otkrytyy-gey-pervaya-temnokozhaya-zhenshchina-stala-gubernatorom-samye-yarkie-pobedy-na-vyborah-v-ssha-120329161) - Подтверждение большинства демократов в обеих палатах, упоминание других исторических избранных (открытый гей, первая темнокожая женщина-губернатор).

## FAQ

### Who is Abdul El-Sayed?

Abdul El-Sayed is a 42-year-old physician and public health executive, and the son of Egyptian immigrant parents. He was nominated by the Democratic Party for the Senate race in Michigan and won on November 3, 2026, becoming the first Muslim in the US Senate.

### What are the election results in Michigan?

According to preliminary data, El-Sayed received about 52% of the vote, while his opponent, Republican Mike Rogers, received about 46%. The margin was approximately six percentage points.

### What happened to the Senate seat El-Sayed won?

The Senate seat became vacant after Gary Peters stepped down. Democrats kept the seat for their party, allowing them to reach 54 seats in the Senate and restore their majority.

### What are the overall outcomes of the 2026 midterms?

The Democratic Party won 54 seats in the Senate (surpassing the 51 needed for a majority) and 225 seats in the House (above the 218 needed for control). Additionally, a Muslim and an openly gay man were elected to the Senate for the first time, and another elected official became the first Black female governor.