Abdul El-Sayed has become the United States’ first Muslim Senator, storming to victory in Michigan as the Democrats’ blue tsunami swept across America.
The former health official, who ran on an explicitly progressive platform, defeated Republican candidate Mike Rogers in one of the most contentious races in this year’s midterm elections.
Dr El-Sayed declared victory in the early hours of Wednesday morning, addressing jubilant supporters at a rally in Detroit.
With over 90 per cent of the votes counted in Michigan, the 41-year-old was leading his Republican opponent by more than 275,000 votes, clinching 52.1 per cent of the ballots cast.
The bitterly-fought campaign saw Donald Trump brand him a “jihadist”, while Republican Congressman Ted Cruz accused him of being “a passionate supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood”, warning Americans “will die” if he were to be elected.
In his victory speech, Dr El-Sayed took a swipe at his critics as told supporters: “We did it!”
“To President Trump, I know you struggle with my name. So after [Vice President] JD swears me in, you can just call me Senator,” he said.
The Democrat accused his opponents of weaponising his faith and identity to shy away from America’s economic woes, including petrol prices and the cost of groceries.
“They want an America that is too small for some of us,” Dr El-Sayed said.
“We know that America is big enough for all of us.”
Dr El-Sayed also celebrated his victory by invoking the Arabic phrase “alhamdullilah” – meaning “praise be to God” in English.
Just two days before his decisive victory, his campaign appeared to have been plunged into chaos after his Democrat primary opponent Haley Stevens made a shocking eleventh-hour endorsement of Mr Rogers.
Her fiance, Jason Turkish, a prominent Jewish Democrat, also expressed concern at the 41-year-old’s rise within the party, labelling his campaign rehtoric as “reckless” and put “Jews at risk”.
More to follow…
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