News 665K views since yesterday

El-Sayed's grandfather: "Because I love you, and I'm here."

ABC News's interview adds childhood memories to Michigan's election story, including a young Abdul translating between his two grandfathers.

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ABC News Story of November 8, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? One of ABC News's most watched videos since yesterday, with 665,482 views.

Abdul El-Sayed's grandparents on his election victory in Michigan

Jan Johnson remembers a question from his young grandson Abdul El-Sayed: "How are you my grandpa?" His answer was simple: "Because I love you, and I'm here."

In ABC News's interview following El-Sayed's Michigan Senate victory, Jan and Judy Johnson recall becoming his grandparents when their daughter Jackie married his father, Mohamed. Jan describes an immediate connection: "I felt like he came into my heart."

One memory puts Abdul between two branches of the family, translating between Jan and his Egyptian grandfather at four years old. Asked about their Presbyterian-Muslim blended family, Jan says mutual acceptance defined the relationship. Judy recognizes the same drive in the adult grandson she knew as a child: "Very energetic, very intelligent, very verbal, and really wants to help people."

El-Sayed, a Democrat, defeated Republican Mike Rogers in the contest for the seat Gary Peters is leaving. The ABC excerpt drew roughly 665,000 views since yesterday, making it the network's most-watched new upload over that period.

Judy recalls waiting until midnight on election night before heading home confident about Abdul's chances. Jan shares the joy of the result, but adds a grandfather's practical reminder: "And now the real work starts."

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