Michigan elects El-Sayed to Senate, Benson as governor in Democratic sweep

Michiganders chose Democrat Abdul El-Sayed to succeed Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and Jocelyn Benson as the state’s next governor, joining a significant pivot across the country away from Republican leaders. The wins came as Democrats took control of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

El-Sayed reportedly defeated Republican Mike Rogers with 52.5% to 45.5% of the vote, according to the Associated Press, with 97% of precincts reporting. 

In a victory speech in Detroit early Nov. 4, El-Sayed emphasized his Muslim faith, saying that inshallah (God willing) had become Alhamdulillah (God be praised) with the results of the election. He blasted Republicans for running what he called a campaign based on promoting division. 

“They might have been pointing to my name and my faith, but we all know that my name and my faith aren't the reason you can't afford your gas,” he quipped. He also introduced himself using his full name, Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed.

Going forward, El-Sayed pledged to focus on affordability, not funding Israel with taxpayer dollars, his Medicaid for all agenda, and overcoming what he characterized as the politics of cynicism. 

>> Muslim leaders urge turnout in Texas, Michigan as El-Sayed, Talarico seek Senate seats <<

El-Sayed won the Aug. 4 primary over Rep. Haley Stevens, who crossed party lines to endorse Rogers on Nov. 1, citing El-Sayed’s position on Israel and links to far-left podcaster Hassan Piker. Zeale News has also reported on concerns about his reported ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic leaders who preach violence and deride Jews. 

In the governor’s race, Democrat Jocelyn Benson defeated Republican Rep. John James, taking home 54.5% of the vote to James’ 43.7%, a margin of about 500,000 votes. 

Benson, the outgoing Michigan Secretary of State, claimed victory in Detroit early Nov. 4, declaring that voters “want leaders who will fight for them, fight to lower costs, fight to grow our economy, fight the corruption that too often protects the powerful and hurts the people.” The Associated Press called the governor’s race at 1:45 a.m. ET.

Republican Rep. John James, Benson’s opponent, spoke to supporters at a Detroit hotel shortly before 11:45 p.m. Nov. 3. He declined to concede, citing ballots still uncounted, thanked supporters, and pledged to serve all Michiganders regardless of party, MLive reported. 

>> Democrats take House and Senate in heated midterm races <<

Democrats also won the state attorney general’s race with Eli Savit and were projected to win a new majority in the state House and keep the state Senate, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Nationally, Democrats won the House, taking 228 seats, exceeding the needed 218 for a majority. In the Senate, Democrats flipped seven Republican seats, taking 54 of the 100 Senate seats and thus the majority. 

Two Senate races remain too close to call. The Alaska race has Democrat Mary Peltola with a roughly 600-vote lead over Republican Dan Sullivan, while Mississippi Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith by a mere 43 votes with 97% of the ballots counted. 

>> Judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit over ‘Decoy Dan’ Sullivan campaign in Alaska Senate race <<

Both contests are unique in that Alaska utilizes a ranked-choice voting system that allows the top four vote-getters to be on the ballot, and Mississippi is the only state that has no mechanism for contesting the outcome of the vote.