Abdul El-Sayed elected as first Muslim U.S. senator
Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate, defeated former Rep. Mike Rogers. He became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.
Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Senate race against former Rep. Mike Rogers and became the first Muslim senator in U.S. history.
El-Sayed is progressive. The race was brutal.
Trump called El-Sayed a "jihadist" at a Michigan rally. He falsely claimed Democrats would "open the floodgates to jihadis."
Rogers used similar language in campaign events. AIPAC spent roughly $42 million running ads against El-Sayed.
In his victory speech, El-Sayed thanked AIPAC for the chance to beat them. He used the Arabic phrase "alhamdulillah" (praise be to God).
El-Sayed has publicly criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
- $42 million
- AIPAC spending against El-Sayed
- First Muslim U.S. senator
- Historic achievement
- Former Rep. Mike Rogers
- Opponent defeated
- Alhamdulillah
- Victory phrase
Why it mattersHis election represents a major shift in U.S. Senate representation. It signals that religious background and progressive politics can overcome large outside spending.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but a Muslim voice in the US Senate may reshape US foreign policy on Middle East and migration issues Australia coordinates with.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
