Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan's Senate seat, beating Mike Rogers
Abdul El-Sayed declares victory in Michigan Senate race
Abdul El-Sayed took the stage at 1:30 a.m. on election night to declare victory, leading 52% to 46%. The race had not been called yet by The Associated Press or FOX News.
(FOX 2) - Abdul El-Sayed won a bitter contest for U.S. Senate to become the country's first Muslim to win the seat ever.
The Democrat's victory over Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan comes following a brutal campaign to fill a seat left vacant by outgoing Senator Gary Peters.
Timeline:
El-Sayed first declared victory after 1:30 a.m. and gave a speech. FOX News called the race shortly after, and The Associated Press called the race at 2:27 a.m.
El-Sayed wins US Senate
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 05: Michigan Democratic Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed arrives to a press conference in front of the Spirit of Detroit statue on August 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. Sayed called on Michiganders to unite against Mike
Dig deeper:
While political parties that are not in control of White House typically struggle during midterm election cycles, Michigan's race for U.S. Senate defied traditional expectations due to Michigan's recent history as a bellwether state as well as the candidates competing for the seat.
MORE LIVE MICHIGAN ELECTION RESULTS HERE
Michigan Senate race
The backstory:
The U.S. Senate campaign in Michigan was among the most closely-watched elections this midterm cycle.
The El-Sayed-Rogers election included personal insults, candidates mocking one-another's livelihoods, and back-and-forth jabs on social media.
The race was also watched from afar by those interested in whether a progressive candidate could win a statewide election in the Midwest. El-Sayed's policies are more progressive than a moderate Democrat's.
His distaste for Israel was also a question for political parties unsure if the platform was palatable in a state with many Jewish voters.
While El-Sayed was a prominent individual on social media and TV, the environment he ran in was also a tough one for Republicans. The party was up against high gas prices, rising inflation, and a war in the Middle East persisting months after President Donald Trump said it would end.
US Senate balance of power
Big picture view:
Michigan's outgoing U.S. Senator, whom El-Sayed is replacing, is Gary Peters, a Democrat. El-Sayed's win means Democrats kept a seat in the fight over majority control – which Democrats won Tuesday night.
By the numbers:
The U.S. Senate balance of power going into Election Day was 53 Republicans to 47 Democrats.
Here is a look nationally at election results:
The Source: The 2026 midterm election results and previous reporting were cited for this story.