Meet Abdul El-Sayed: Michigan Senate winner backs Medicare for all, wants to abolish ICE and end US military aid to Israel

Abdul El-Sayed ‌has ⁠won ⁠the Democratic primary for the US Senate in Michigan, ⁠defeating US ‌Representative Haley Stevens, ⁠and will face Republican Mike Rogers in the November ‌midterm elections, projects NBC. El-Sayed, 41, the son of Egyptian immigrants, would be the first Muslim senator in the US, if elected.

El-Sayed has been endorsed by leading left-wing politicians such as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York City congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

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Abdul El-Sayed’s political campaigns

According to BBC, Abdul El-Sayed has campaigned on issues such as Medicare for All, taxing billionaires, and abolishing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and an end to U.S. military aid and weapons sales to Israel. His campaign platform includes proposed reforms to the Supreme Court, including ending lifetime appointments and introducing limited terms for justices. He has also supported overturning the Supreme Court ruling that established corporate political spending as protected speech under the First Amendment.

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Healthcare has been another major focus of El-Sayed’s political career. He previously co-authored Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide and worked with President Joe Biden’s Task Force for Healthcare.

Abdul El-Sayed’s Early Life in Michigan

El-Sayed was raised in Southeastern Michigan by his father, Mohamed, an Egyptian immigrant, and his stepmother, Jackie. According to his campaign website, his stepmother’s family has roots in Gratiot County dating back to the 1800s.

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He attended public schools while growing up and was involved heavily in athletics. During high school, El-Sayed served as captain of the football, wrestling and lacrosse teams.

He later attended the University of Michigan, followed by medical school at Columbia University, where he earned his medical degree. He subsequently earned a second doctorate from the University of Oxford.

His Family and Life in Ann Arbor

El-Sayed lives in Ann Arbor, roughly 45 miles west of Detroit, with his wife, Sarah, and their daughters, Emmalee and Serene. He has spoken warmly about his family on social media, describing Sarah as his “rock” and the “greatest mother” to their daughters.

El-Sayed’s Career in Public Health

Before entering electoral politics, El-Sayed held prominent public-health positions in Detroit. From 2015 to 2017, he served as executive director of the Detroit Health Department and as Health Officer for the City of Detroit.

His experience in medicine and public health has remained closely connected to his political agenda, particularly his focus on healthcare access and systemic healthcare reform.

His 2018 Michigan Governor Campaign

El-Sayed previously sought elected office in 2018, when he ran in the Democratic primary for governor of Michigan. Although he ultimately lost the primary, the campaign helped establish him as a prominent progressive voice in Michigan politics.

That same year, he founded Southpaw Michigan, a political action committee focused on helping elect progressive candidates.