American politician, U.S. representative for Michigan’s 11th district since 2019
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s US Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate. He defeated Republican Mike Rogers, despite aggressive attacks on his faith, and pledges to address healthcare and economic concerns while pushing for a more inclusive democracy.
Rep. Max Miller has refused to withdraw from Ohio's 7th congressional race after his ex-wife accused him of domestic abuse and the House Ethics Committee opened an inquiry. Party leaders missed the deadline to replace him on the general-election ballot, and Democratic groups have moved to boost challenger Brian Poindexter with millions in ad spending.
The Independent reports that Donald Trump remains fixated on renovations, monuments and Iran, with insiders warning this focus undermines his party’s midterm prospects. Polls show broad discontent with his leadership, while GOP candidates seek to defend the party’s Senate chances as competition tightens.
Global stocks have rallied this month after officials reported progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and a string of strong corporate earnings has bolstered investor sentiment. Treasuries and oil prices have fallen as traders pare back expectations for near-term Fed hikes; strategists warn valuations and one-off earnings boosts limit further upside.
South Carolina has held a special Republican primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and has produced a runoff. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman have advanced; Rep. Russell Fry finished a close third. The Aug. 25 runoff will almost certainly decide the GOP nominee who will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
Francesca Hong leads a four-candidate field in Wisconsin’s governor race, while David Crowley is backing a bid as the field tightens. In Minnesota, race dynamics center on electability ahead of the U.S. Senate contest as progressives threaten to reshape the party’s trajectory.
The Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary has shifted from a projected landslide to a narrow loss for Francesca Hong. David Crowley’s centrism prevails, inflaming debates on polling accuracy and the role of prediction markets in shaping campaigns.
The Michigan Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers has seen AIPAC’s influence wane as campaigners recalibrate amid shifting support, with El-Sayed leading in the open-seat contest and both parties reassessing the lobby’s role ahead of the November vote.
The controversy surrounding Hasan Piker’s remarks has prompted strong responses from Democratic leaders and candidates, underscoring the challenge of unifying diverse voter blocs ahead of midterm-style contests. Piker has faced mounting scrutiny over antisemitism accusations, while candidates emphasize policy concerns like gas, groceries, and healthcare.
Abdul El-Sayed has apologized for remarks linking a Temple Israel attack to broader context as he campaigns in Michigan. He has been distancing himself from Hasan Piker amid internal party tensions and facing questions over Israel policy as Democrat Mike Rogers presses the race.
Rep. Haley Stevens has become engaged to campaign donor Jason Turkish, a longtime Michigan ally with a family history of Holocaust refuge. The couple, who met in 2022, say their shared values anchor their future as Stevens continues public service after a narrow midterm race.
The midterm contests are intensifying as key Senate races move toward toss-ups amid headwinds from Trump-era unpopularity and internal party divisions. Republicans hold a fragile Senate edge while Democrats seek gains in Michigan, Maine, Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio; fundraising and redistricting battles shape outcomes.
Vice President Kamala Harris has campaigned in Detroit with Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed, joining a roundtable on Black maternal health and a voter‑turnout event as Democrats try to hold a pivotal Michigan Senate seat. The visit is aimed at uniting Democrats after a divisive primary and mobilising Black voters in Wayne County ahead of November.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has told Semafor that Democrats remain united and expect to win control of the Senate despite a widening fundraising gap with Republicans. He warns that large GOP war chests could threaten the party's chances, even as he asserts confidence in Democratic candidates and the current political climate.
AIPAC has halted public endorsements of federal candidates and direct PAC contributions, while continuing to operate its United Democracy Project super PAC. The move shifts focus to mobilizing individual donors and new fundraising tools, after a period of heavy outside spending linked to Pro-Israel advocacy. UDP remains active in independent campaigns.
President Trump has intensified claims linking Abdul El-Sayed to extremism at campaign events in Port Huron, portraying him as a security threat and warning that a hypothetical El-Sayed victory would threaten American traditions. The remarks, part of a broader effort to mobilize Republican voters ahead of the midterms, follow prior accusations without evidence of ties to extremist groups.
Trump has characterized Abdul El-Sayed as a jihadist and suggested he would require a metal detector to enter the Senate, remarks that have drawn sharp criticism for stoking anti-Muslim sentiment amid a closely watched Michigan race.
Democrats have consolidated leads in final polls and forecasters ahead of Tuesday's midterms, making House control likely and giving them a real chance at the Senate. Early network calls on Wednesday have declared Abdul El‑Sayed the winner in Michigan's Senate race, making him the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate and a symbolic pickup for Democrats.
Alaska’s Senate race is scrutinized as prosecutors probe possible campaign involvement in recruiting a similarly named candidate. The contest hinges on turnout ahead of Tuesday’s vote, with Democrats seeking to gain ground nationally while campaigns cash in through record early voting.
Haley Stevens has endorsed Mike Rogers, a Trump-backed Republican, for the U.S. Senate after a bitter primary feuded with Abdul El-Sayed. The move comes days before the Michigan midterm and upends Democratic efforts to unite behind El-Sayed in a tightly contested race.
Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers just days before the midterm election, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and relief from Republicans. The split exposes deep tensions within the party as Michigan becomes a pivotal battleground.
Pro-Israel lobbying groups have poured millions into US congressional races, with several candidates backed by AIPAC and its affiliated PACs winning. Yet a substantial share of the invested money has gone to candidates who lost, signaling a complex realignment in Washington’s foreign policy discussions as domestic concerns rise.
Muslim and Arab-American candidates have secured multiple wins in the 2026 midterm elections, including Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim senator and Adam Hamawy as New Jersey’s first Muslim congressman. The results reflect growing turnout among Muslim voters and a rejection of Islamophobic rhetoric, with several other Muslim and Palestinian-American candidates winning seats across the country.