Abdul El-Sayed Faces Wave of Islamophobic GOP Attacks
Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary over Rep. Haley Stevens by less than one percentage point. The AP called the race Wednesday morning, a day after polls closed.
- 48.5% to 47.5%: El-Sayed's final margin over Stevens, with 99% of ballots counted.
- $62 million in outside spending backed Stevens, a roughly nine-to-one spending advantage.
- $32 million of that came from AIPAC's super PAC, the group's largest single-race investment ever.
- Rogers lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in 2024 by just three-tenths of a percentage point.
Why it matters: Michigan's seat is open because Sen. Gary Peters is retiring, and it could shift Senate control. Republicans have not won a Michigan Senate race since 1994.
- El-Sayed enters the general election trailing Rogers in at least one major Michigan poll, according to Democratic strategist Adam Jentleson.
- Rogers ran unopposed after an early Trump endorsement cleared the GOP field, conserving resources while Democrats spent an estimated $98.2 million in the primary.
How 19 sources split on this story
Where they split: Whether El-Sayed's narrow primary win reflects a weak candidate vulnerable in November, or a grassroots underdog who outspent a nine-to-one disadvantage.
Left coverage, 7 sources: The left frames Republican attacks on El-Sayed as Islamophobic, pointing to Rogers invoking 9/11, the NRSC using his full name, and Trump's personal insults as a coordinated campaign targeting his Muslim identity rather than his record.
Raw Story2hTrump to voters: 'Make Michigan TOO BIG TO RIG'
The Independent2hTrump says Michigan Senate candidate is part of ‘communist’ wave
Rolling Stone3hAbdul El-Sayed’s Win Sets Off Wave of MAGA Islamophobia
Salon2h"That's the best you got?": El-Sayed brushes off right-wing Islamophobia after Michigan primary win
Talking Points Memo3hTrump Mixes Usual Election Fraud Delusions With New Red Scare in Wake of El-Sayed WinTruTruthout5hEl-Sayed Hits Back at GOP’s Islamophobic Attacks: “That’s the Best You Got?”Right coverage, 10 sources: The right frames El-Sayed's win as a gift to Republicans, arguing his far-left positions on Israel, Medicare for All, and immigration make him unelectable statewide and a liability for the broader Democratic Party.
Townhall8hAbdul El-Sayed Got a Significant Amount of Cash From Folks With Known Terror Ties
The Washington Times8hEl-Sayed opens general election fight by branding Rogers as Trump's bootlicker
The Western Journal11hGOP Senate Nominee Mike Rogers Kicks Off Race Against El-Sayed With a Big Swing
Washington Examiner2hTrump says Abdul el Sayed is ‘full of s***’
Breitbart News5hGOP Senate Candidate Mike Rogers: Democrat Opponent Abdul El-Sayed Is an 'Extremist' Who Wants to Empty Prisons, Support Muslim Brotherhood
Daily Mail8hTrump rips into 'communist loser' Abdul El-Sayed's razor-thin Michigan victory as Republicans eye new way to save the Senate
Hot Air7hThis Fetterman, El-Sayed Tiff Is Fun
Just the News10hTrump trolls Michigan's Wayne County as Dem Senate primary results lag
NewsBusters1hMS NOW Downplays El-Sayed's Ties to Terrorist-Sympathizer Hasan Piker
WND5hWATCH: ‘Brutal’ Republican ad drops minutes after El-Sayed declared Democrat primary victor * WorldNetDaily * by Bob UnruhWhat’s next: El-Sayed has challenged Rogers to five general-election debates.
- AIPAC signaled it will back Rogers in November, calling El-Sayed's agenda 'radical anti-Israel.'
- The Sentinel Action Fund and Right Vote have committed a combined $15 million to support Rogers.
- Can El-Sayed assemble a broad enough coalition — beyond the progressive base — to win Michigan in November?
- Will the close primary margin reflect genuine weakness with Detroit-area voters, or a late polling failure?