Overcoming Trump's 'Jihadist' slur: Dr Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to US Senate

In the Michigan US Senate elections, progressive Democrat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed has made history by defeating former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in the 2026 midterm elections. As a result of this victory, the doctor, public health expert, and former health director in Detroit is now the first Muslim senator to be elected to the US Senate as he makes sure Democrats retain an important seat after the retirement of long-time senator Gary Peters.

Earlier in the morning on Tuesday, in his speech to the crowd gathered at his office in Detroit, he said, "Michigan, we did it! I am so proud and honored to stand here as your senator-elect from the great state of Michigan."

Grassroots progressive platform defeats conservative Opposition

Being endorsed by former President Obama and other national progressive leaders, he managed to gain political support from various segments of the society in urban centers and on rural areas of Michigan.

Healthcare rights: As a practicing physician, Dr. El-Sayed made single-payer universal healthcare the center of his platform by telling people, "You deserve to be able to see a doctor without getting a huge bill."

Reform and economy: He campaigned aggressively on eliminating corporate money from political campaigns, tackling inflation, and addressing economic challenges facing working Families.

Overcoming resistance: El-Sayed won despite intense conservative opposition and personal attacks aimed at undermining his platform and heritage.

El-Sayed's victory also makes him the first Democratic medical doctor to serve in the U.S. Senate since 1969.

Distinguished public health background and academic credentials

Born in 1984 in Southeast Michigan, El-Sayed is the son of an Egyptian immigrant father and a mother whose family traces their roots in Gratiot County back to the 1800s.

Before entering national politics, he built an extensive academic and executive career in public health:

Executive leadership: Served as Executive Director of the Detroit Health Department and Health Officer for the city from 2015 to 2017, leading major lead-poisoning prevention initiatives.

Academic honours: Graduated from the University of Michigan, earned an M.D. from Columbia University under a National Institutes of Health fellowship, and earned a Ph.D. in public health from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

Policy author: Authored Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide and Healing Politics, later serving on President Biden's 2020 Unity Task Force for Healthcare to craft prescription drug policies.

El-Sayed resides in Michigan with his wife, Dr. Sarah Jukaku—a psychiatrist whose family originates from Karnataka, India—and their two daughters.

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