Progressive Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race to become first Muslim US senator

Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. His victory adds to the Democrats’ newly won Senate majority and makes the result a test of whether a progressive candidate can win in a swing state.

El-Sayed, 42, is a doctor and former Wayne County health director who won the Democratic primary against establishment favourite Haley Stevens. He campaigned for universal healthcare and an end to US military aid for Israel, while facing Islamophobic attacks from Donald Trump and Republican allies. Pro-Israel group Aipac spent about $30m trying to stop him in the primary, and total advertising in the general election exceeded $220m by mid-October.