> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsanek.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to US Senate - URL: https://newsanek.com/abdul-el-sayed-first-muslim-us-senator/ - Published: 2026-11-05T08:33:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-05T08:50:18.000Z - Description: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan. His campaign focused on healthcare and costs, and he faced attacks and mockery during the race. - Author: Kumar Ujjwal - Tags: World, #sub-international, #trending, #trending-world Abdul El-Sayed has become the first Muslim ever elected to the US Senate. US television networks called the Michigan race early on Wednesday. Mathrubhumi English reported this. El-Sayed is a Democrat. He defeated Republican Mike Rogers, a former lawmaker. He will fill the seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Gary Peters. ### Key points - Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, is the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. - He defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race. - His campaign focused on healthcare, costs and the role of money in politics. - He faced attacks and mockery during the campaign, including over his Arabic name. ## So why is this win being talked about so widely? Supporters saw the election as an important moment for Muslim representation in American politics. The Economic Times reported that El-Sayed won 51 per cent of the vote. Mathrubhumi English said his lead was nearly six percentage points when networks called the race. El-Sayed's Michigan Senate win in numbers **51 per cent**Share of the vote won by El-Sayed **nearly six percentage points**His lead when networks called the race Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report The two reports give different measures, so the exact margin is best read from both. A last-minute setback came when Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to him, backed Rogers publicly. El-Sayed still held on to his support and won. ## What did he promise voters during the campaign? El-Sayed focused on healthcare reform and making medical treatment more affordable. He promised to work towards universal healthcare for ordinary Americans. He told voters on the eve of the election that they should be able to see a doctor without a huge bill. He criticised the country's expensive, profit-driven healthcare system. ## What happens next, and what about the attacks on him? During the campaign, Republicans branded him a terrorist and a communist, according to Mathrubhumi English. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance also mocked his Arabic name. The Economic Times headline says Trump called him a terrorist. The article text does not say that. It only reports the attacks in general. In his speech, El-Sayed told Vance that he is constitutionally obligated to swear him in, in January. He also told Trump he could simply call him Senator. Education Times reported that his background has also faced scrutiny. Politico reported that he described himself as a physician, though he is not a licensed practising physician. --- ### Sources - [The Economic Times: Abdul El-Sayed becomes the first-ever Muslim elected to US Senate after defeating Mike Rogers; trolls JD Vance, Trump with ‘Habibi’ jibe in victory speech](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/world/us/abdul-el-sayed-becomes-the-first-ever-muslim-elected-to-us-senate-after-defeating-mike-rogers-trolls-jd-vance-trump-with-habibi-jibe-in-victory-speech/articleshow/135531459.cms?ref=newsanek.com) - [Mathrubhumi English: Abdul El-Sayed makes history as first Muslim elected to US Senate, wins Michigan race](https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/world/abdul-el-sayed-first-muslim-us-senator-michigan-gz501b67?ref=newsanek.com) - [Education Times: Abdul El-Sayed is the first Muslim American to be elected to Senate: Read about his education, public health career, and political rise](https://www.educationtimes.com/news/abdul-el-sayed-is-the-first-muslim-american-to-be-elected-to-senate-read-about-his-education-public-health-career-and-political-rise/articleshow/135560440.cms?ref=newsanek.com)