El-Sayed launches Habibi PAC

Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D-Mich.) has launched Habibi PAC, his own political action committee, just days after punching his ticket to the upper chamber, Federal Election Commission filings show.

The leadership PAC, a committee not connected to his campaign and meant to raise money for his political allies, is the latest sign that El-Sayed aims to influence Democratic politics into the future. El-Sayed has used the word Habibi , an Arabic term of endearment meaning “my beloved” but often used more casually, to address his opponents in the wake of Tuesday’s win.

“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed said in his victory speech, addressing Vice President Vance who has harshly criticized the Michigander. “There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January.”

Arabic terminology and culture were present throughout the El-Sayed campaign as he pushed to become the first Muslim U.S. senator. Supporters often wore “Habibi for Abdul” shirts on the campaign trail.

El-Sayed won by a wide margin Tuesday in a key swing state for the 2028 presidential election, potentially positioning him to influence the likely expansive Democratic primary field of candidates as they make their way through the Midwest state.

El-Sayed ran as an unapologetic Muslim with strong views against sending military aid to Israel. Facing incessant attacks over his religion, El-Sayed aired an ad emphasizing his faith and his mission “to serve God and to serve our neighbors.”

President Trump has often called El-Sayed a “jihadist” and purposefully misstated his name — calling him by his middle name, Mohamed. Former Rep. Mike Rogers (Mich.), the Republican candidate, often attempted to tie him to extremist organizations to which El-Sayed has no connection.

The newest Michigan senator used the playful nickname of Habibi to push back on the right-wing rhetoric about his religion, and he has now employed the phrase in his effort to raise money for future political allies.