“They tried to confuse you. So let me just set the record straight. I love America. I know exactly what America gave to me. Michiganders believe in Michigan, and I believe in Michiganders, and I am so honored that Michiganders believed in me.”
- Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed speaking to supporters after declaring victory in his U.S. Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers.
It’s safe to say nobody saw the extent of the so-called blue tsunami that swept over Michigan and the nation Tuesday. Yes, prognosticators were talking about Democrats maybe winning both the U.S. House and Senate, but to see the stunning sweep of Democratic wins in places like Maine and Kansas (Kansas!) has been an historic spectacle.
And it was no different in Michigan. Not only did Democrats gain control of all three branches of state government, but voters made history by sending the first Muslim to the U.S. Senate, sweeping aside the cynical perspective that an odious campaign of Islamophobia might swing an election.
Through it all, the great team at Michigan Advance — Ben Solis, Kyle Davidson and Katherine Dailey — kept pace with outlets twice our size to provide our readers with not only the latest news on who won, but more importantly, what now?
You can be assured that we’ll continue to answer that question as we head into 2027.
As always, thank you for supporting Michigan Advance.
Jon King - Editor-in-Chief
YOUR TOP MICHIGAN ADVANCE STORIES OF THE WEEK
Abdul El-Sayed addresses supporters in Detroit early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, as he declared victory over Republican nominee Mike Rogers in the U.S. Senate race. (Photo by Katherine Dailey/Michigan Advance)
By Ben Solis
DETROIT — The progressive wave sweeping the nation reached its crest in Michigan early Wednesday as Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, declared victory Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
Republican U.S. Senate nominee and former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers and speaks during a rally with Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026 at CHI Aviation in Howell, Mich. (Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance)
COMMENTARY
By Jon King
There is a reason Republicans haven’t won a U.S. Senate race in Michigan since the last century. The state is politically competitive, culturally diverse and home to an electorate that doesn’t fit neatly into the narrow partisan boxes that have come to define Republican politics. Mike Rogers is simply the latest Republican to learn that lesson the hard way…twice.
State Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) steps to the podium in Detroit with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) after Democrats retook the majority on the Michigan House and retained control of the Senate. Puri is likely to be the next Speaker of the House, while Brinks was elected at lieutenant governor earlier Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance)
By Ben Solis
DETROIT — Michigan will have a new Democratic Party majority in the state Legislature after Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial returns.
Jocelyn Benson addresses supporters in Detroit in the early morning hours of Wed., Nov. 4, 2026 after declaring victory in the Michigan gubernatorial race. (Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance)
By Katherine Dailey
Democratic nominee and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has declared victory in Michigan’s gubernatorial election, addressing supporters early Wednesday in Detroit.
Congressman-elect William Lawrence outlines his priorities for serving in the U.S. House while speaking with reporters outside his campaign HQ in Lansing, Nov. 4, 2026. (Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance)
By Kyle Davidson
After declaring victory in a hard-fought battle for Michigan’s most competitive swing district, U.S. Rep.-elect William Lawrence reconvened with his supporters and members of the media to celebrate his victory and reaffirm his commitment to promises he made along the campaign trail.
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