Watch: Abdul El-Sayed thanks supporters for backing 'unlikeliest of candidates' Left-wing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won in the battleground state of Michigan to become the US's first Muslim senator, following a race fuelled by withering attacks and inter-party disputes. El-Sayed bested Republican Mike Rogers, withstanding an onslaught of attacks that included baselessly tying him to terrorism and a high-profile spat with a fellow Democrat.