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First Muslim senator, Texas turns blue, Collins out: the night's biggest upsets

Abdul El-Sayed made history in Michigan, James Talarico ended a 32-year Republican winning streak in Texas, and Susan Collins lost after nearly three decades in the Senate.

By Ubariehi, Newsroom

· 2 min read

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In this article
  1. Michigan: the first Muslim senator
  2. Texas: a Republican streak ends
  3. Maine: Collins falls
  4. Some other surprises
  5. Why does this matter

The US midterm elections produced some of the most striking Senate results in years, as Democrats won in places they have struggled for decades and made history along the way.

Michigan: the first Muslim senator

Abdul El-Sayed, a 42-year-old Democrat and physician, defeated former Republican congressman Mike Rogers in Michigan, CBS News projected. He will become the first Muslim to serve in the US Senate.

The race had been closely watched. Michigan has one of the largest Arab American and Muslim communities in the United States, and El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, ran on a progressive platform. With about three-quarters of ballots counted, Decision Desk HQ had him ahead by 51.8 percent to 46.2 percent.

Texas: a Republican streak ends

In Texas, James Talarico, a 37-year-old state legislator and former teacher, defeated Republican Ken Paxton, the state's attorney general. It was the first statewide win for a Democrat in Texas in more than 30 years, ending one of the longest winning streaks in American politics.

Paxton conceded at about 10:20pm. Texas Democrats also celebrated Gina Hinojosa's defeat of Governor Greg Abbott, according to reports.

Maine: Collins falls

In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated Susan Collins, one of the Senate's longest-serving Republicans, ending a career of nearly 30 years. Collins who is known as a moderate who had often survived tough races, conceded.

"I'm proud of all I have been able to accomplish for our state and for our country in the past 30 years," she said.

Some other surprises

Democrats also won in South Carolina, a state Trump carried three times by double digits, and in Kansas, which has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since the 1930s. CNN listed Ohio, Iowa and North Carolina among the other seats Democrats flipped.

Not every Democratic hope was realised: Idaho voters rejected a ballot measure on abortion, leaving the state's ban in place, according to NBC News.

Why does this matter

The scale of the wins in traditionally Republican states will prompt soul-searching in the party, together with the analysis of what drove voters from the war with Iran to high fuel prices. It also gives Democrats new national figures ahead of the 2028 presidential race.

Sources and references

  1. 1.Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan 2026 Senate election, CBS News projects — CBS News
  2. 2.James Talarico wins Texas U.S. Senate race — NPR
  3. 3.James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton in Texas' U.S. Senate race — The Texas Tribune
  4. 4.Troy Jackson wins Maine Senate race over Susan Collins — NPR
  5. 5.Susan Collins concedes to Democrat Troy Jackson in Maine Senate race — Axios

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