Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race

Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate. The result was confirmed early Wednesday, November 4, following an election campaign in which attacks focused on El-Sayed’s faith and name. El-Sayed, a former Detroit health director who ran as a progressive, described his victory as a rejection of a campaign centered on his identity rather than policy. In remarks after his win, he said opponents had tried to demonize people because of how they pray. He also said he ran to represent Michigan, not simply to become the first Muslim senator. The Republican campaign and its allies raised claims about El-Sayed’s religious beliefs and alleged links to extremism. El-Sayed denied any association with the Muslim Brotherhood, and the reporting said no evidence had emerged linking him to the group. Rogers said his objections to El-Sayed were ideological, not religious, while also portraying him as a national security threat. The race also featured disputes over El-Sayed’s response to a March attack at Temple Israel synagogue. He later apologized for a remark that Jewish leaders had criticized as rationalizing...