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Democrat Abdul El-Sayed claimed victory early Wednesday in Michigan's closely watched U.S. Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, putting him on course to become the first Muslim elected to the upper chamber of Congress.
"Michigan, we did it!" El-Sayed told supporters at his election headquarters in Detroit. "I am so proud and honored to stand here as your senator-elect from the great state of Michigan."
U.S. media outlets projected El-Sayed as the winner, although the final result had not been officially determined as vote counting continued.
According to unofficial results, El-Sayed received 1,583,684 votes, or 50.6%, compared with 1,486,235 votes, or 47.5%, for Rogers, giving the Democrat a lead of more than 97,000 votes.
El-Sayed, 42, is of Egyptian descent and secured the Democratic nomination after winning Michigan's Aug. 4 primary election.
His campaign faced a late setback when Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, whom he defeated in the primary, endorsed Rogers, 63, shortly before the general election.
If his victory is confirmed, El-Sayed will become the first Muslim to serve in the 100-member U.S. Senate.
In another historic result, Democrat Adam Hamawy won New Jersey's 12th Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating Republican Gregg Mele to become the state's first Muslim member of Congress, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Hamawy, 56, a plastic surgeon, retired U.S. Army combat doctor and humanitarian medical worker, will succeed Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is retiring after a decade in the House of Representatives.
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Born in Egypt and raised in the United States, Hamawy served during the Iraq War and later participated in humanitarian medical missions in Bosnia, Sudan, Lebanon and Syria.
He also traveled to southern Gaza on a humanitarian mission in 2024, an experience that influenced his decision to enter politics.
A first-time candidate and outspoken critic of Israel's war in Gaza, Hamawy campaigned on universal Medicare, ending U.S. military aid to Israel, canceling medical and student loan debt, and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Following his victory in the Democratic primary, Hamawy told supporters: "We made it clear you never need to ask for permission to fight for justice."
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