Michigan Produces the First Islamic Senate in the US History

 

Michigan is staying blue as Republicans’ hopes of flipping the state and gaining some breathing room in their thin majority were crushed.

Abdul El-Sayed, the Muslim son of Muhammad

who became the veritable face of this midterm cycle acting as the GOP’s boogeyman for Democratic policies across the country, is projected to topple former Rep. Mike Rogers in what was one of the most-watched contests of the election.

In his victory speech, El-Sayed thanked AIPAC, which spent roughly $42 million running a campaign against him, for allowing him the opportunity to beat the American-Israeli interest PAC twice. El-Sayed celebrated his victory by invoking the Arabic phrase "alhamdulillah," which means "praise be to God."

The progressive candidate also issued a warning shot to his defeated opponent, Rogers.

"Enjoy your retirement," El-Sayed said of the Republican candidate. "You chose hate, and Michigan chose hope. May we never have to see the likes of you in this state again."

Meanwhile, around 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Rogers called on his supporters to go home, sharing that it was going to be a "long night." Organizers shared with the Detroit News that the hotel needed them out by that time. 

Throughout the campaign, El-Sayed outran alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, concerns about his rhetoric over Israel and Jewish voters in Michigan and criticism from fellow Democrats for his ties to controversial political streamer Hasan Piker.

Rogers failed to outrun the political headwinds that have buffeted Republicans this cycle, including affordability issues, President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada launched in the thick of the midterms and the Iran war, despite his attempts to distance himself and the administration from the latter issues.

El-Sayed’s victory serves as a major blow to the GOP’s push against the progressive lean in Democratic politics, where for much of the cycle after his shock win over Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., Republicans painted him as the face of socialism and communism in their messaging.

He will also be the first Muslim U.S. senator in history. His faith has been used as a line of attack by Republicans, including President Donald Trump, who last month during a rally in Michigan accused El-Sayed of being a "jihadist" that would "have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate."

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