Obama backs El-Sayed in Detroit on early voting day
The former president pledged to close a local deficit for his Senate ally as the campaign heads into its final week.
By Pedro Barnes ·
Barack Obama stood before a crowd of thousands at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday to formally endorse Abdul El-Sayed for the United States Senate. The event took place on the first day of early voting in Michigan, with the general election scheduled for November 3. Obama, accompanied by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee for governor, told the audience that El-Sayed was fighting for changes that would reduce the influence of money in politics.
The former president had remained largely silent during the Democratic primary in August. That contest was contentious, with El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health official, defeating moderate congresswoman Haley Stevens. Stevens had received support from the Democratic establishment and pro-Israel groups. Obama's appearance marked his first public rally for El-Sayed since the primary concluded.
During his remarks, Obama focused on healthcare, stating that El-Sayed would finish the work started with the Affordable Care Act. He promised that the senator-elect would guarantee quality and affordable medical care for every American. Obama also addressed the differing political views between himself and El-Sayed, acknowledging that the candidate had previously described the Affordable Care Act as an incremental fix. Obama said the two agreed on the broad goal of a fair society, even if they disagreed on specific policy details.
The former president spent a considerable portion of the speech criticizing President Donald Trump. Obama accused the current administration of enriching the president's family and creating a culture of taking favors. He mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, describing him as focused on the physical appearance of troops. Obama also targeted Trump's tariff policies, noting that the administration was particularly hard on Canada, a neighbor to the north of Detroit. He joked that the White House renovations made the residence look like a high-end restaurant.
El-Sayed faces a specific challenge in Wayne County, where Detroit is the seat. In the August primary, Stevens won that county with 51% of the vote compared to El-Sayed's 45%. Detroit is more than three-quarters Black, a demographic that Obama has targeted in previous campaigns, including his 2024 run for Kamala Harris. El-Sayed has the most ground to gain in this area to secure a statewide victory.
The race is considered close. The Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up. A Marist poll of likely voters conducted in mid-October showed El-Sayed at 50% and his opponent, Mike Rogers, at 48%. That margin falls within the error range. RealClearPolitics, which averages multiple polls, shows El-Sayed ahead by approximately 2.6 points. Rogers is a former congressman endorsed by Trump who lost a 2024 Senate race against Elissa Slotkin by less than half a percentage point.
Senator Slotkin spoke at the rally, describing Michigan as a state that elects fighters. She noted that while she and El-Sayed may have disagreements, they share more common ground. She emphasized that their goal was to provide a check on the executive branch. Trump has attacked El-Sayed throughout the campaign, calling him a jihadist and alleging ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has denied those claims and has also faced criticism within his own party for appearing with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.
Trump is scheduled to visit Michigan on Sunday. He will hold a rally in Port Huron, a city on the Canadian border. This will be the first presidential visit to St. Clair County. If El-Sayed wins the Senate seat, he will become the first Muslim and first Egyptian American to serve in that body. Benson is running for governor against Republican congressman John James. If James wins, he will be Michigan's first Black governor.
Obama concluded his speech by emphasizing the need for a fair system in society. He said the political structure should not operate solely for the benefit of those at the top. The rally capped a day of campaigning for Obama, who had earlier appeared in Cleveland, Ohio. There, he supported former senator Sherrod Brown and Democratic governor nominee Amy Acton. The two candidates will now focus on closing the gap in the final days before voters head to the polls.
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