Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Senate election, defeating Republican candidate Mike Rogers to become the state’s next senator.
The Fox News Decision Desk projected that El-Sayed had defeated Rogers in the closely watched contest.
His victory represents a major triumph for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and a setback for the party establishment, which had backed Representative Haley Stevens during the primary.
El-Sayed overcame controversies surrounding alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood, his comments on Israel and concerns among Jewish voters in Michigan, as well as criticism from fellow Democrats over his association with controversial political streamer Hasan Piker.
Rogers, who was seeking election for the second time, failed to overcome the political challenges confronting Republicans during the election cycle.
These included concerns over the rising cost of living, President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada and the Iran war, despite his attempts to distance himself and the administration from the controversies.
El-Sayed’s victory adds to the Democratic Party’s gains in the Senate, where it has secured control of the chamber.
Democrats have also been projected to take control of the House of Representatives, giving the party control of both chambers of the US Congress for the first time in the current political cycle.