Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has reportedly made history as the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate after defeating former Republican Representative Mike Rogers in Michigan’s midterm election.
The 42-year-old will occupy the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters when the new Congress begins in January. His victory followed a competitive Democratic primary in which he defeated Representative Haley Stevens.
Abdul El-Sayed campaigned on healthcare reform, affordable housing and economic opportunities for working families. He also criticised US military support for Israel over the war in Gaza. Born in Michigan to Egyptian immigrant parents, he previously served as Detroit’s Health Department Director and later headed Wayne County’s health and human services department.
