Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed launches Habibi PAC days after securing seat in Senate

Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed launched Habibi PAC, a new political action committee, days after winning his Senate seat. The PAC's name uses an Arabic term he employed in his victory speech to Vice President Vance. FEC filings show no donor data yet, and a campaign finance expert noted the move contrasts with El-Sayed's past opposition to corporate PAC money.

Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed launched Habibi PAC, a new political action committee, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. The PAC was created days after El-Sayed secured his Senate seat. "Habibi" is an Arabic term meaning "my love," which El-Sayed used to address Vice President JD Vance in his victory speech last week. Since the PAC was launched less than a week ago, the FEC has no available data on donors or spending, Michigan Public reported, citing Michigan Campaign Finance Network Executive Director Neil Thanedar. Thanedar noted that El-Sayed's creation of a PAC is interesting given his stance against accepting certain PAC money during his campaign. El-Sayed has also stirred controversy over his anti-Israel stance, having accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and reiterating that accusation in a recent CBS interview.