US First Muslim Senator Launches ‘Habibi PAC’ in New Political Initiative

International Desk | PNN

Just days after being elected as the first Muslim senator in United States history, Michigan’s newly elected Senator Abdul El-Sayed has launched a new political initiative by establishing a political action committee (PAC) named “Habibi PAC”. The move is widely seen as an effort to support other candidates and expand his influence in American politics following his election victory.

Documents filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Thursday show that Habibi PAC has been registered as a leadership political action committee sponsored by El-Sayed. Such committees operate separately from a politician’s personal campaign funds. They generally help other candidates, provide financial support to political parties and affiliated organisations, and enable lawmakers to build influence within political circles.

“Habibi” is an Arabic term of affection meaning “dear” or “my beloved”. El-Sayed frequently used the word during his election campaign. In his victory speech in Detroit, he also addressed US Vice President JD Vance with the phrase: “JD, habibi, it’s quite funny that, according to the Constitution, you will have to swear me in this January.”

El-Sayed is among several newly elected Democratic leaders who registered leadership PACs after winning the midterm elections. According to FEC records, newly elected Arizona congressman Amish Shah established a committee called “Packstreet Boy”, newly elected Iowa Senator Josh Turek registered “WheelPAC”, and newly elected North Carolina Senator Roy Cooper formed “One NC PAC”.

According to OpenSecrets, an organisation that tracks political financing, ambitious lawmakers use leadership PACs to strengthen their political positions. Through these committees, they provide financial assistance to other candidates, their own political parties and various political committees. Such funding can help lawmakers build relationships and influence among colleagues while improving their chances of securing party leadership positions or chairmanships of important committees in the future.

OpenSecrets data show that during the 2024 election cycle, leadership PACs donated a total of $793 million to federal candidates. Republicans received a large share of the funding. However, the single largest contribution came from a Democratic leadership PAC.

El-Sayed, who was elected senator from Michigan, is the son of Egyptian immigrants. He defeated Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the election. During his campaign, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz questioned his loyalty. He was also labelled a “jihadist” and accused of having links to the Muslim Brotherhood, without any evidence being presented to support the allegations.

In an interview with Al Jazeera at a rally in Wyandotte, Michigan, days before the election, El-Sayed said taxpayers’ money should be used to save lives at home rather than spent on foreign governments. He argued that the needs of American citizens should take priority over funding foreign governments involved in genocide or racial discrimination.

He also said defeating Trump alone would not be enough; the political system that brought him to power would also need to change. Reducing the influence of money in politics was one of his key campaign commitments. In his victory speech, he said the election result had demonstrated that ordinary people could win when they faced off against money and powerful financial interests.

However, El-Sayed’s victory came against the backdrop of what is expected to be the most expensive midterm election in US history. Analysing Federal Election Commission data, OpenSecrets estimated that total spending in this election could reach approximately $11.9 billion. Spending during the 2022 midterm elections stood at $8.9 billion.

Outside spending by groups funded through super PACs could reach $3.9 billion this time, an increase of 85 per cent compared with 2022. Meanwhile, so-called “dark money”—political funding from donors whose identities are not disclosed—has already reached at least $1.47 billion. During the entire 2024 election cycle, including the presidential election, the record for such funding stood at $1.35 billion.

OpenSecrets’ analysis also found that conservative groups spent approximately $360 million more than liberal groups on outside election spending. However, at the candidate level, Democrats are expected to spend around $800 million more than Republicans.

In this costly political environment, it remains to be seen how much influence El-Sayed’s Habibi PAC will be able to exert. Nevertheless, by establishing the committee even before taking office in the Senate, he has signalled his intention to strengthen his position in American politics.