El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Seat After Stevens Endorsement
Haley Stevens's late endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers divided Democrats in Michigan's Senate race, but Abdul El-Sayed won the seat and will be the first Muslim elected to the US Senate in January 2027.
IllustrationThe story so far
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens defended her last-minute endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, saying she was not turning her back on Democrats. She had lost the primary to Abdul El-Sayed and said he made it clear she was no longer welcome in his campaign. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the decision a despicable betrayal.
The endorsement drew criticism from Democrats. California Governor Gavin Newsom called it sub-optimal, and strategist James Carville said Stevens sold her soul in a battleground race that could decide control of the Senate. El-Sayed raised $1.2 million in four hours after the endorsement, his second-best single-day haul since winning the Democratic nomination in August.
El-Sayed then defeated Rogers, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. The 42-year-old physician, the son of Egyptian immigrants, is due to take office in January 2027 and represents the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. In his victory speech, he joked that Vice President Vance was constitutionally obligated to swear him in after months of attacks.
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5 updates · newest first- 4 NovNew development
El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat as first Muslim American
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. The 42-year-old physician, the son of Egyptian immigrants, is due to take office in January 2027 and represents the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. In his victory speech, he joked that Vice President Vance was constitutionally obligated to swear him in after months of attacks.
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- 2 NovOfficial statement
Carville says Stevens sold her soul over Rogers endorsement
Democratic strategist James Carville said Rep. Haley Stevens sold her soul by endorsing Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers for Senate in Michigan over her primary rival, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. Carville made the criticism on YouTube, disavowing Stevens in a battleground race that could decide control of the Senate.
- 2 NovNew development
El-Sayed raises $1.2 million after Stevens endorses Rogers
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed raised $1.2 million in four hours after former primary rival Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race. The surge is El-Sayed's second-best single-day haul since winning the Democratic nomination in August.
- 2 NovOfficial statement
Newsom calls Stevens endorsement of Rogers sub-optimal
California Governor Gavin Newsom said Representative Haley Stevens's late endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate race was sub-optimal. He made the comment on Sunday during an interview for a midterm preview.
- 1 NovNew development
Stevens defends surprise endorsement of Republican Rogers in Michigan
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens defended her last-minute endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race, saying she was not turning her back on Democrats. Stevens, who lost the primary to Abdul El-Sayed, said El-Sayed made it clear she was no longer welcome in his campaign. The decision has been described as a despicable betrayal by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
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