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

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan and is set to become the first Muslim senator in US history. His campaign faced anti-Muslim attacks, including unfounded accusations that he was a “jihadist” made by Donald Trump and other Republicans. After a hard-fought primary in which AIPAC spent more than $30 million opposing him, El-Sayed campaigned to expand government-funded healthcare, reduce money’s influence in politics and address the affordability crisis. He has also accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and called for redirecting spending on foreign wars to local needs.