‘Rejecting hate’: Abdul El-Sayed wins Senate seat despite racist attacks

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, despite racist and anti-Muslim attacks led by President Donald Trump and other Republicans. He is set to become the first Muslim US senator when he is sworn in on 3 January, and his win helps Democrats regain control of the Senate.

El-Sayed, a former public health official and critic of Israel’s policies, campaigned for government-funded healthcare, action on affordability and less money in politics. More than $30m was spent against him in the August primary, and his opponents made unfounded accusations, including calling him a “jihadist”. Republicans also tried to exploit racial tensions, but early results showed he performed well with Black voters in Detroit; voters cited affordability, immigration and foreign wars among their concerns.