Khalilah Ali and her son, Jacob Ali-Wertheimer, backed the Democratic nominee at a church service in Detroit one day before Michigan voters choose their next senator.
Tamrah News Desk | November 2, 2026
Muhammad Ali’s daughter endorses Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race, with Khalilah Ali and her son, Jacob Ali-Wertheimer, publicly backing the Democratic nominee at a church service in Detroit, Al Jazeera reported on Monday. Michigan voters go to the polls on Tuesday, November 3.
What Khalilah Ali and Jacob Ali-Wertheimer Said
According to Al Jazeera, the two relatives of the late heavyweight champion said El-Sayed is part of Muhammad Ali’s legacy. The outlet did not publish a full transcript of their remarks. The endorsement came during the final weekend of a campaign that has drawn national attention. Readers can find more on how Pope Leo Votes by Mail in Illinois as First Pontiff to Join a US Election.
Who Is Abdul El-Sayed?
El-Sayed is a physician and former public health official who served as Detroit’s health commissioner and later worked for Wayne County, CBS Detroit reported. He lost the 2018 Democratic primary for governor to Gretchen Whitmer. Ajel News reported that he is 41, earned a medical degree at Columbia University and studied at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.
The Associated Press reported that he would become the first Muslim senator if elected. He faces Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman backed by President Donald Trump, in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters. Al Jazeera reported that El-Sayed has refocused his Michigan Senate race campaign on affordability, public investment and opposition to foreign wars.
Why the Detroit Church Service Mattered
Sunday’s church visits were part of a Democratic push to raise turnout in the Detroit area. According to CNN, Democrats had tried to arrange a joint appearance with South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn at a Black church to strengthen support for El-Sayed. The Associated Press reported that El-Sayed attended services at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ and the Northend Church of God in Christ, alongside Clyburn and Representative Debbie Dingell. The AP also said the event was meant to ease concerns about enthusiasm among Black and Jewish voters in Democratic strongholds.
Haley Stevens Endorses Mike Rogers
The weekend took a sharp turn when Representative Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed by less than a percentage point according to CNN, endorsed Rogers. Reuters photographs carried by Al Jazeera showed her speaking beside Rogers after a service at Perfecting Church in Detroit.
CNN reported that Stevens had told allies on Saturday she would appear with El-Sayed and Clyburn. She did not explain to reporters what changed. Al Jazeera reported that Stevens had demanded El-Sayed condemn an advertisement from an independent left wing group, which she called antisemitic. The Associated Press reported that Dingell said she disinvited Stevens after the matter became a distraction.
How Democrats and Republicans Reacted
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who recruited Stevens to run, called the move a “despicable betrayal”, Al Jazeera reported. Michigan Democratic Party chair Curtis Hertel said the endorsement showed Stevens had
“abandoned everything she claims to care about.”
Al Jazeera reported that Trump praised Stevens and invited her to join the Republican Party.
Earlier in the campaign, the Associated Press reported that Trump called El-Sayed a “jihadist” at a rally in Port Huron on October 25. The AP said El-Sayed has repeatedly stated his loyalty to the United States and has disavowed the Muslim Brotherhood. Democrats have described the attacks as targeting his faith and Egyptian heritage. The AP also reported that Rogers questioned El-Sayed’s loyalty during their final debate.
When Is the Michigan Senate Election and What Do Polls Show?
The Michigan Senate election is on Tuesday, November 3. Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported that polling suggests El-Sayed has largely consolidated Democratic support. The Associated Press reported that Republicans have not won a Senate race in Michigan in more than three decades, though they see an opening in this open seat. Rogers lost the 2024 Senate race to Elissa Slotkin by less than a percentage point, according to the AP. For earlier context, see our Michigan Senate race coverage.
Conclusion
The backing from Khalilah Ali and Jacob Ali-Wertheimer gives El-Sayed a high profile endorsement on the final weekend of the Michigan Senate race. It also arrived alongside the Stevens endorsement of Rogers, which shows how divided attention has been. Readers searching for Abdul El-Sayed news, the Michigan Senate election date, Khalilah Ali’s endorsement, Haley Stevens and Mike Rogers, or the Muhammad Ali legacy will find the latest developments here.
