I live in Detroit, and Michigan, known for its Rust Belt, has many people who rely on the automotive industry, with fierce competition between the Democratic and Republican parties.

This time, a vacancy arose as Democratic incumbent Senator Gary Peters announced his retirement.

The candidate who emerged for the Democratic nomination is Abdul El-Sayed.

At first, his name was unfamiliar to me. El-Sayed was born in Michigan in 1984.

He is a Muslim American who grew up in an Egyptian immigrant family.

He graduated from the University of Michigan and studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, also earning a Ph.D. from Columbia University.

His educational background is impressive. Studying at Oxford and holding an Ivy League doctorate is quite remarkable....

He wasn't just a bookworm either; he played football in high school.

However, the September 11 attacks in 2001 changed his life.

As a teenager, El-Sayed experienced prejudice and discrimination because he was Muslim.

How would it feel if a student you worked out with suddenly was treated as a terrorist?

One of the reasons he became interested in politics was Barack Obama's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Obama spoke about how his African name should not be an obstacle to success in America, reflecting his parents' beliefs.

This must have resonated with a young man who faced discrimination because of his name.

El-Sayed later built a career in medicine and public health. In 2015, at just 30 years old, he became the director of the Detroit Health Department.

Among the initiatives he led, I found the children's vision screening and glasses support, as well as investigations into lead contamination in public facilities, particularly interesting.

Living in Detroit, these issues are not just someone else's problems.

There are many old houses and aging pipes, and for economically struggling families, addressing children's health issues in a timely manner is not easy.

Thus, he expanded his interest from administration to politics. He challenged the Democratic primary for Michigan governor in 2018 but was unsuccessful.

Afterward, he worked in Wayne County's health sector, and now he is running for the federal Senate seat.

However, he is a controversial figure even within the Democratic Party.

He supports progressive policies like universal healthcare, taxing the wealthy, environmental protection, and the Green New Deal.

The Democratic leadership is concerned that such views may be detrimental in a battleground state like Michigan.

The Republicans criticize his economic policies as being too leftist.

Additionally, some attacks have politicized his Arabic name and Muslim background.

This complicates my thoughts a bit. Political policies can be criticized freely.

I also believe that the funding issues of a policy promising healthcare for all and the impact of tax increases on business activities should be carefully examined.

What matters to Detroit residents are the future of the automotive industry, jobs, healthcare costs, public safety, and living expenses.

Ultimately, what is important is how much the lives of Michigan residents can be improved.

This is why this election is so interesting.

As a Detroit resident, this election feels more significant than just a contest between the Democratic and Republican parties.

A boy from Michigan, once discriminated against because of his name, has been elected to the U.S. Senate.

What kind of politician he will become remains to be seen.

However, his story seems to reflect both the possibilities of America and the unresolved issues it still faces.