This 'weightlifter' physician is America's first Muslim senator: How health propelled his Democratic victory

With the results of the US midterm elections and analysis pouring in, a lot of attention is now on the country's first-ever Muslim Senator. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who is a physician, epidemiologist, public health official, and fitness enthusiast known for his 'buff' look during the campaign, won in Michigan in a historic and unprecedented fashion. The Egyptian-American was known for championing policies like 'Medicare for All', and he is also the first Democratic medical doctor to serve in the US Senate since 1969.

A fitness buff
The new senator has often shared his interest in weightlifting and even posts his workout videos on social media regularly. Earlier, he had also showcased some workouts with fitness influencers like Hasar Piker and bodybuilder Dr Mike Israetel. A few months ago, he had also posted a video of him bench pressing 315 pounds! In the 2026 campaign trail, he had even playfully challenged JD Vance to a 'squat-off.' Interestingly, he had gained around 80 pounds during his medical school days. In one of the interviews, he says he lost around 40 pounds through his strict home workout regimen and the fitness routine during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Medicare for all!
In 2021, El-Sayed co-wrote the book 'Medicare for All: A Citizen's Guide,' with Dr Micah Johnson. It is a universal healthcare platform that ensures government health insurance for all Americans from birth to death. Interestingly, it eliminates all monthly premiums, copays and deductibles, and includes prescription drugs, dental, hearing and vision care. It also aims to wipe out the huge medical debt of Americans and remove extreme health insurance dependency on jobs or employers.

Critics say that a programme like this can lead to massive tax increases, dismantle private insurance and result in longer wait times and lower payments to doctors. However, as per reports, due to the rising costs of insurance premiums and deductibles, 66% of Americans favoured such a plan. Interestingly, it's mostly supported by young voters and individuals who have substantial medical debts.

The youngest health director
In 2015, El-Sayed became the youngest health director of the Detroit Health Department. Apparently, it was largely shut down and even privatised due to the city's municipal bankruptcy. El-Sayed's supporters say that he successfully brought its health infrastructure back, enforced strict lead screening for drinking water across all Detroit public schools, executed vision initiatives for children, delivering free eyeglasses to thousands of low-income students, and stood up to block a sulfur dioxide emission expansion by the Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC). His critics say he served Detroit for less than two years before running for Governor, and also that his aggressive style always created friction with leadership.
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