Abdul El-Sayed Launches Habibi PAC Following Michigan Senate Victory

Abdul El-Sayed launched a political action committee named Habibi PAC following a victory in the Michigan Senate election that made him the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.

The newly elected senator announced the political action committee days after defeating Republican Mike Rogers in a campaign that he described as one of the ugliest he has seen, pointing to attacks involving his name and faith. During remarks at the Connect Arab America Empowerment Summit in Chantilly, Virginia, El-Sayed declared Michigan the capital of Arab America.

The newly elected senator also appointed Brenda Abdelall to lead his Senate transition team. Brenda Abdelall previously faced scrutiny over remarks from 2002 regarding supporters of Israel. El-Sayed addressed supporters in Detroit on election night, switching between English and Arabic phrases including inshaAllah and alhamdulillah. Publications issued corrections after a reporter falsely claimed the victory speech was delivered entirely in Arabic.

Jewish leaders in Michigan offered mixed reactions to the outcome, with some expressing a willingness to work with the incoming senator while others maintained lingering concerns regarding his policy positions and associations. El-Sayed stated that he supports advancing healthcare legislation during the upcoming lame duck term regardless of what the policy is called.