Democrat Abdul El-Sayed was projected to win Michigan's U.S. Senate race in the early hours of Wednesday by Fox News, defeating Republican opponent Mike Rogers in one of the most expensive, most followed and bitter contests of the midterm elections. "Mike, enjoy your retirement," El-Sayed said at his victory party with supporters.
Michigan chose hope," he added. El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat and former Wayne County health director, finished first in a close contest that took an unexpected turn over the weekend, when Michigan Democratic Representative Haley Stevens withdrew her support for him and endorsed Rogers two days before the election. El-Sayed's victory means Democrats will hold on to a Senate seat they have held since 1979.
It also means El-Sayed will become the first Muslim member of the U.S. Michigan was among several key Senate races this year as Republicans try to defend their majority there, as well as in the House, while Democrats looked to capitalize on competitive races that could flip control of both chambers.The result capped a glorious night for the Democratic Party, as flips in Texas, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina to give them commanding control of the Senate. El-Sayed entered Election Day ahead in the RealClearPolitics average, 49.8 percent to 44.9 percent.
Recent polling generally shown El-Sayed ahead, although the size of his lead varied. A New York Times/Siena University poll of 1,011 likely voters conducted October 23-November 1 gave him his largest lead of the campaign, 53 percent to Rogers' 42 percent. The margin of error was 3.8 percentage points.
Interviews ended on the day Stevens endorsed Rogers, meaning the survey captured little, if any, reaction to her announcement. A Trafalgar Group poll conducted October 31-November 1 showed a much closer race, with El-Sayed leading 47 percent to 46 percent among 1,087 likely voters. The margin of error was 2.9 percentage points.
A YouGov survey of 2,093 likely voters conducted October 26-29 also showed a close race, with El-Sayed ahead 51 percent to 47 percent. Its margin of error was 3 percentage points. Other polls have shown El-Sayed with a wider advantage.
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