Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has made history by becoming the first Muslim elected to the United States (US) Senate after defeating former Republican Representative Mike Rogers in a closely watched race in Michigan.
US media projections on Tuesday (3) had indicated that El-Sayed had secured victory, allowing Democrats to retain a crucial Senate seat previously held by retiring Senator Gary Peters.
El-Sayed, a former public health official, emerged from a competitive Democratic primary to contest the seat, which attracted considerable national attention amid the closely contested political battle between Democrats and Republicans.
According to reports, his victory marks a historic milestone in American political representation, with El-Sayed set to become the first Muslim to serve in the US Senate when the new Congress convenes in January.
The campaign was particularly contentious, with El-Sayed’s Muslim faith becoming a prominent issue. President Donald Trump and several Republican figures had repeatedly targeted him over his religious background during the election campaign.
El-Sayed has rejected allegations attempting to associate him with extremism.
His victory is also politically significant given that Michigan narrowly voted in favour of Trump in the 2024 presidential election, making the state an important battleground in the latest congressional elections.
The outcome represents a significant development in US political representation, breaking a longstanding barrier for Muslim Americans seeking election to the country’s upper legislative chamber.
(With input from agencies)
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