Washington, November 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Egyptian-American Democrat and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed has made history by becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, defeating Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race. He also becomes the first Democratic doctor to enter the Senate since 1969.
Addressing supporters at his election headquarters in Detroit, El-Sayed said, “Michigan, we did it! I am so proud and honoured to stand here as your Senator-elect from the great state of Michigan”.
El-Sayed, who has never held elected office, had suffered a double-digit defeat in Michigan’s Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2018. His Senate victory came despite a last-minute setback when Congresswoman Haley Stevens, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary, backed Rogers.
His campaign focused on universal healthcare, removing outside money from politics and criticism of Israel. He also pledged to address economic concerns and challenge the country’s for-profit healthcare system.
“You deserve to be able to see a doctor without getting a huge bill,” he said on the eve of the election.
Born and raised in southeast Michigan, El-Sayed is the son of Egyptian immigrant Mohamed and was raised alongside his stepmother, Jackie. He graduated from the University of Michigan, earned a medical degree from Columbia University and completed a second doctorate at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters, Emmalee and Serene.
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