El-Sayed Projects 1-0 Lead Over Vance in Michigan Senate Race
The Democrat’s projected win sets up a constitutional requirement for the vice president to administer his oath in January.
By Marta Gray ·
Abdul El-Sayed is projected to defeat Republican challenger Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate seat from Michigan. The result positions El-Sayed to become the first Muslim elected to the chamber. He announced the win to a crowd in Detroit on election night.
The campaign featured a heated exchange between El-Sayed and Vice President JD Vance. Vance criticized El-Sayed’s past comments on Islamic law. He told a rally crowd he would go back in time to explain the progressive’s views to his own grandfather. Vance also mispronounced El-Sayed’s name and joked about arresting him over facial hair.
El-Sayed responded by questioning whether Vance would take his wife, Usha Vance, back in time as well. He noted her Indian ancestry in the joke. Vance demanded that El-Sayed keep the second lady’s name out of the debate. El-Sayed told Vance and President Trump to address their own hypocrisy.
During his victory speech, El-Sayed addressed Vance directly. He referred to the vice president as 'habibi.' El-Sayed pointed out a constitutional obligation that creates a specific dynamic for the next few months. 'There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January,' he said. The line drew a loud response from supporters.
The Democrat also referenced his alma mater, the University of Michigan. Vance attended Ohio State University, a rival school. El-Sayed posted the rivalry score on X moments after his speech. 'So you know what that means?' he wrote. 'Wolverine 1, Buckeye 0.'
Vance will perform the swearing-in ceremony for the new senator in January. The constitutional role requires the vice president to preside over the Senate for the purpose of administering the oath. El-Sayed’s projected victory closes the campaign between the two men.
