Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won the US Senate election in Michigan, defeating Republican candidate Mike Rogers, according to preliminary results reported by American media outlets.

El-Sayed will become the first Muslim American elected to the US Senate. He will succeed Senator Gary Peters, who previously announced that he would be leaving Congress.

During his campaign, El-Sayed received the endorsement of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). In a statement issued by the organization, he expressed gratitude for its support and emphasized that Michigan’s Armenian community was an important part of the state.

El-Sayed said he was proud to have ANCA’s backing in the race, describing Armenian Americans in Michigan as a valued part of the state. He also condemned the Trump administration’s unconditional military assistance to Azerbaijan amid what he described as ongoing atrocities, calling it a flagrant violation of international law.

The politician also pledged that, as a senator, he would advocate for peace, dignity, security and the Armenian people’s right to self-determination.

According to an ANCA statement dated October 1, the organization endorsed El-Sayed as part of his election campaign. The statement also noted that Michigan is home to one of the oldest and largest Armenian communities in the United States. Its historic centers include St. John Armenian Church in Southfield and St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Dearborn.