
![]()
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has claimed victory in Michigan's closely watched Senate race, as Democrats take over midterm elections in a significant blow to President Donald Trump and his administration.
El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in the key swing state, making history as the first Muslim American elected to the US Senate.
The 42-year-old former public health official's win is one of several significant results from an election that saw Democrats make major gains across traditionally Republican states.
View this post on Instagram
While opinion polls had suggested the party would perform well, the scale of its success was far greater than many political analysts had predicted.
Democrats also secured major victories in Texas, South Carolina, Ohio and Kansas, with several Republican candidates backed by Donald Trump losing their races.
The results represent a significant setback for the US president, who had encouraged voters to view the midterms as a referendum on his administration.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Economic concerns appeared to play a major role in the outcome, with nearly nine in ten voters identifying the cost of living as a major factor in their decision.
Exit polls also found that almost two-thirds of voters blamed Trump for high prices, while many expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.
Trump had campaigned heavily on his economic promises, but his tariffs on foreign goods and the war with Iran have contributed to growing concerns among American voters.
His attempts to portray Democrats as dangerous radicals also failed to gain the support he needed.
View this post on Instagram
El-Sayed's victory is particularly significant given the difficult campaign he faced. The Democrat, whose parents were Egyptian immigrants, was the target of attacks over his Muslim faith and political positions during the election campaign.
He ran on a platform focused on universal healthcare, lowering costs for working families and reducing the influence of corporate money in politics.
His win also keeps Michigan's Senate seat in Democratic hands following the retirement of Senator Gary Peters.
View this post on Instagram
The election results have also raised questions about Trump's appeal among some of the voter groups that helped secure his 2024 victory, including young people and Latino voters.
Despite the scale of the Democratic victory, Trump remains president and retains the power to veto legislation.
The new Democratic majority will also face pressure to deliver on the economic issues that helped drive voters to the polls.
Trump has said he will accept the election results and is prepared to work with Democrats.