What Is Habibi PAC? Why Abdul El-Sayed Created Political Fund Days After Senate Win
Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed has launched Habibi PAC, a leadership political action committee, days after defeating Republican Mike Rogers in the Senate race. Registered with the Federal Election Commission on Nov. 5, the committee will allow him to raise money to support other Democratic candidates and political allies.
The launch follows a campaign in which El-Sayed criticized the influence of money in politics, making the new fundraising initiative a notable development as he prepares to take office in January.
Unlike his campaign committee, Habibi PAC is designed to support other candidates and political organizations, potentially helping El-Sayed build influence within the Democratic Party.
Habibi PAC Gives El-Sayed a New Political Fundraising Platform
A leadership PAC allows elected officials to raise money to support other candidates and political organizations rather than finance their own campaigns. These committees can help lawmakers build political networks and influence within their parties.
According to OpenSecrets, leadership PACs contributed $79.3 million to federal candidates during the 2024 election cycle, with most contributions going to Republicans.
El-Sayed joins several newly elected Democrats who have established leadership PACs, including Amish Shah’s PACStreet Boy, Josh Turek’s WheelPAC and Roy Cooper’s One NC PAC, Al Jazeera reported. While the FEC filing confirms Habibi PAC’s registration, it does not specify its fundraising target or intended beneficiaries.
The Meaning Behind El-Sayed’s Choice of the Name Habibi
Habibi is an Arabic term of endearment meaning “my beloved” or “my dear.” The phrase became a campaign slogan, with supporters wearing “Habibi for Abdul” shirts.
El-Sayed also used it to address Vice President JD Vance during his Detroit victory speech.
“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed said. “There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January.”
The remark referred to Vance’s role in swearing in new senators and responded to his criticism of El-Sayed during the campaign. The name Habibi also reflects how El-Sayed embraced his Arab and Muslim background, which became a subject of political attacks during the race.
El-Sayed’s Historic Michigan Victory Followed a Divisive Campaign
El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, becoming the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate. The former public health official, whose parents immigrated from Egypt, is expected to take office in January.
His campaign focused on health care, affordability and limiting the influence of wealthy donors and corporations. He supported Medicare for All and criticized U.S. military aid to Israel.
His Muslim identity became a campaign flashpoint. President Donald Trump called him a “jihadist” and repeatedly mispronounced his name, while other Republicans questioned his loyalties and attempted to link him to extremist organizations without establishing evidence for those allegations. El-Sayed continued to embrace his faith, with his campaign emphasizing a commitment “to serve God and to serve our neighbors.”
He also made reducing the influence of money in politics a central campaign theme. In his victory speech, he said, “We showed that in a battle between the money and the many that the many really can win,” presenting his victory as a grassroots challenge to wealthy political interests.
Habibi PAC Could Extend El-Sayed’s Influence Beyond Michigan
Habibi PAC gives El-Sayed a platform to raise funds for Democratic candidates beyond Michigan. Unlike super PACs, leadership PACs are generally used by elected officials to support other candidates and political organizations.
The FEC filing confirms the committee’s registration but does not disclose its fundraising target or intended beneficiaries. Its future financial disclosures will show how El-Sayed plans to use the PAC while pursuing his pledge to reduce the influence of money in politics.
