Abdul El-Sayed with his wife, Sarah Jukaku, at an election night event in Detroit.
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Salwan Georges/Getty Images
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed made Michigan history by defeating Republican Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate as his party regained control of Congress.
The 42-year-old former public health official campaigned on cost-cutting, Medicare for All and getting corporate money out of politics. Rogers, supported by President Trump, has repeatedly attacked El-Sayed because of his Muslim faith and his opposition to U.S. military aid to Israel.
But Israel and the war in Gaza have become a defining fault line in the race. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated in the Democratic primary, endorsed Rogers just days before the election, amid a bitter conflict over Israel.
After a campaign marked by sharp disagreements over Israel, El-Sayed now finds himself on the same side as Trump.
The president announced plans to end annual military aid to Israel of about $4 billion by the end of the year, but gave no details on how those cuts would work.
Talk to Morning edition after his victory, El-Sayed welcomed the proposal.
“I think the president is right on this policy,” he said. “I would also like us to stop selling weapons to Israel that are used to commit the worst things, including genocide and apartheid.”
The United States is providing Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military aid under a deal that runs through 2028.
His argument goes beyond Israel. El-Sayed also questioned U.S. military support for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Pakistan, saying American taxpayer money should be spent at home.
However, winning Michigan’s Senate seat doesn’t mean all divisions within his party are gone.
During a visit to Michigan before the election, NPR’s Michel Martin heard concerns about El-Sayed from some Jewish and black voters. Asked if he still had work to do to win their support, El-Sayed said the election results called that version of events into question.
“There’s always more work to do. There’s always more to build. There’s always more conversations to have,” he said.
Listen to the full interview live by clicking the blue button above.
The digital version was edited by Treye Green.
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