India, Oct. 31 -- Abdul El-Sayed, an epidemiologist, former public health administrator and Democratic nominee for the US Senate in Michigan, is at the centre of one of the most closely watched contests ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.

The 41-year-old candidate, who turns 42 on October 31, is challenging Republican nominee Mike Rogers for the seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Gary Peters. If elected, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim member of the US Senate.

Born to an Egyptian immigrant father and raised in southeast Michigan, El-Sayed has built a career spanning public health, academia, political activism and media. His campaign focuses on healthcare affordability, economic inequality and reducing the infl...