Jakarta, ThedailyID — US Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has launched a political action committee called “Habibi PAC” just days after his historic Senate election victory.
The move signals his intention to expand his influence within the Democratic Party beyond the recent midterm election campaign, according to The Hill.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show that the Michigan Democrat established a new leadership political action committee (PAC). The organization operates separately from his campaign and aims to raise funds for political allies.
The committee takes its name from the Arabic word “Habibi,” a masculine term of affection meaning “my beloved” or “someone dear to me.”
The expression became familiar during El-Sayed’s campaign and among his supporters. He also used it to address US Vice President JD Vance during his victory speech.
“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed said before pointing out the irony that Vance would have to constitutionally administer his Senate oath in January 2027.
During the campaign, President Donald Trump and Vance repeatedly criticized El-Sayed over his Muslim identity and democratic socialist views.
Trump also called him a terrorist and attempted to link him to the Muslim Brotherhood, which the United States has designated as a terrorist organization.
El-Sayed openly embraced his Muslim identity throughout the campaign. However, he repeatedly faced attacks over his religion, including Trump’s description of him as a “jihadist.”
His Republican opponent in Michigan, Mike Rogers, also tried to associate him with extremist groups. However, no evidence established such connections.
El-Sayed’s victory made him the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. The Democrat defeated Rogers in Michigan’s November 2026 election, marking a historic milestone in American politics.
