Abdul El-Sayed’s victory over Mike Rogers shows how voters across Michigan came together to support a candidate whose campaign focused on everyday issues, despite constant attacks targeting his Muslim faith and identity.

Today, we’ll bring you the details on how, in an election marked by harsh attacks and xenophobia, Michigan delivered what Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud called a “beautifully American story.” 

Plus: A look at what’s on Michigan Dems’ to-do list.

Michigan Democrats restore trifecta (Michigan Advance): Michigan Democrats have reclaimed control of both chambers of the state Legislature, restoring a party trifecta with Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson after Tuesday’s election. Unofficial results show Democrats holding a 19-14 majority in the Senate and a 51-43 advantage in the House, where Ranjeev Puri is expected to become the first Indian American and Sikh speaker.

Michigan sees record midterm voter turnout (Freep): More than 4.8 million Michigan voters cast ballots in the 2026 midterms, setting a new record and topping the 4.5 million who voted in 2022. Turnout surged in places like Dearborn and Detroit, with early analysis suggesting the growth was concentrated in Democratic-leaning areas, though Republicans also showed up in strong numbers.

First transgender state representative in Michigan history elected (FOX 2): Democrat Joanna Whaley made history Tuesday, becoming Michigan’s first openly transgender woman elected to the state Legislature after winning 62% of the vote in a Downriver district. Whaley says she plans to focus on affordability and healthcare.

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks at an election night event, early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Detroit, as his wife Sarah Jukaku watches. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

By The Associated Press

Campaigning relentlessly across Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed didn’t highlight the possibility that he could become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. But with victory in hand, he savored his triumph over the vitriol aimed at him and his fellow Muslim Americans.

“They tried to demonize people because of how they pray,” he told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “And Michigan — the whole Michigan — clapped back. People don’t want that. They’re sick of it.”

He showed his pride in his victory speech, declaring: “My name is Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed.”

Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 attacks and their aftermath yanked anti-Muslim sentiment into the forefront of American life, those emotions are shared by many Muslim Americans in Michigan and across the country.

They saw a surge of anti-Muslim rhetoric after Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City mayor a year ago, and they saw the attacks intensify as El-Sayed became the new prime target. President Donald Trump called him a “jihadist” who was “on the side of the terrorists.” Dozens of Trump’s fellow Republicans in Congress formed a Sharia-Free America Caucus, depicting Islam’s religious code as a threat to the US Constitution.

But now, after El-Sayed’s defeat of GOP rival Mike Rogers was confirmed early Wednesday, there is a pervasive sense that a broader victory is at hand.

Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson speaks after she wins her election during the Michigan Democratic Party Election Night Party held in The Department at Hudson’s in downtown Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026.

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

With Michigan Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson flanked by the biggest Democratic legislative majorities in decades, state Democrats say they see a huge mandate and promise transformation.

Benson’s win against her Republican rival US Rep. John James of Shelby Township, marks the first time since 1960 that Michigan voters have replaced the outgoing governor with a leader from the same party. Not only did Democrats retain control of the Michigan Senate, they expanded their majority. And they also managed to wrest control of the Michigan House of Representatives from Republicans.

Candidates from both parties promised to make life more affordable in their campaigns, but election results indicate that voters trusted Democrats more to tackle cost-of-living challenges.

“Voters in Michigan spoke loud and clear. They want leaders who will work together to lower their costs and grow the economy. That is my focus, as well as improving our public schools,” Benson told reporters at a Nov. 4 news conference.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said Democrats “have a majority that can get big things done for people and make Michigan a place where people can afford to raise a family again, which I think is the most important thing.”

The last Democratic trifecta won in 2022 and was the first in 40 years. They moved quickly to pass Democratic priorities opposed by Republicans: They repealed the state’s right-to-work law, established new gun regulations, expanded reproductive rights and more.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from The Associated Press and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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