Abdul El-Sayed’s bid for Michigan’s open Senate seat could mark a first for Muslim representation in the chamber, the Associated Press and The Washington Post have reported.
The Michigan Department of State’s general-election list names El-Sayed, a Democrat, and Republican Mike Rogers as candidates for the seat. It became open after Democratic Sen. Gary Peters announced in January 2025 that he would not seek reelection. The Associated Press has described the contest as one that could help determine which party controls the Senate.
His career includes public-health work. Wayne County announced that he would become director of its Health, Human and Veterans Services Department in March 2023. His campaign says he launched his Senate bid on April 17, 2025. At an Oct. 15 campaign speech, El-Sayed said, “Yeah, I’m a Muslim,” and referred to constitutional protections for religious practice.
A question about the Muslim Brotherhood came up at an Oct. 17 campaign event, The Washington Post reported. The Associated Press said it found no evidence of El-Sayed’s affiliation with the group.
Healthcare is another campaign priority. El-Sayed’s platform proposes Medicare coverage for all necessary health services, and his campaign says the plan would reach every American. The policy page does not identify who would bear the cost.
El-Sayed won the Democratic nomination after an Aug. 4 primary against U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. When the Associated Press called the race, its count showed El-Sayed ahead by 14,893 votes, just under 1%, with more than 1.5 million ballots counted. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers later certified the primary returns and nominees.
Michigan’s in-person early-voting period runs Oct. 24-Nov. 1. Voters will choose the next senator on Nov. 3.
