Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race, becoming first Muslim American elected to chamber
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan's U.S. Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, according to a Decision Desk HQ projection reported by The Hill. He becomes the first Muslim American elected to the Senate.
El-Sayed will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. His victory keeps the Michigan seat in Democratic hands; it is not a Republican-to-Democratic seat flip.
The result comes as Democrats have also won control of both chambers of Congress, according to the Associated Press. Vote counting continues, and these media calls are not official certification.
Victory speech
Abdulrahman El-Sayed delivered his victory speech at about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, eastern U.S. time, before supporters at a Democratic Party event in Detroit, after projections called Michigan's U.S. Senate race for him over Republican Mike Rogers by about 52% to 46%, making him the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.
Highlights of his speech:
- Opening and identity: He introduced himself by his full name: "My name is Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, and I am honored to stand before you as senator-elect from the great state of Michigan." He then turned his familiar campaign phrase into a closing moment: "I always used to say 'inshallah' whenever the outcome of this race came up; tonight, we can turn 'inshallah' into 'alhamdulillah.'" Joking with his opponents on the right, he added: "And that simply means: praise be to God."
- Money versus people: He said his opponents had spent hundreds of millions to defeat him and the movement he represents, summing it up: "We proved that in a battle between money and the masses, the masses really can win." Amid supporters' chants, he renewed the three central promises of his platform: getting money out of politics, putting money back in people's pockets by lowering living costs, and "Medicare for All."
- Thanking his supporters: "You bet on the longest-shot candidate; this victory is all yours. Michigan, I cannot wait to serve you... Thank you for your trust, faith and kindness." He singled out those who knocked on doors, made calls, donated and shared his story. Fox News also reported his sarcastic thanks to AIPAC, which spent about $42 million against him, "because it gave him the opportunity to defeat it twice."
- Message to Rogers: "Enjoy your retirement... You chose hate, and Michigan chose hope; may we never see the likes of you in this state again."
- Message to Trump: "Donald, I know you struggle to pronounce my name; after JD [Vance] swears me in, you can simply call me: Senator."
- He ended with his signature chant: "Michigan, we did it!"
Closing note: Rogers had not conceded defeat as of about 2 a.m.
