Barack Obama backs Abdul El-Sayed at Detroit rally as Michigan early voting begins

Former US President Barack Obama campaigned in Detroit on Saturday to boost Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, urging voters to turn out on the opening day of Michigan's early voting window.

Speaking to a crowd of thousands at Cass Technical High School, Obama endorsed El-Sayed along with Jocelyn Benson, the state's Democratic nominee for governor. Obama framed El-Sayed as a reformer focused on reducing the influence of money in politics, strengthening healthcare access, and building on the foundations of the Affordable Care Act to deliver universal coverage.

The appearance marked Obama's first public campaign stop for El-Sayed, a physician and former local public health director who secured the Democratic nomination in August after defeating moderate Representative Haley Stevens. Obama had remained neutral during that competitive primary, and the two had previously diverged on healthcare strategy, with El-Sayed advocating for Medicare for All. Addressing those policy differences, Obama noted that political allies do not need to share identical views on every policy detail, emphasizing their common goals of fairness and economic opportunity.

During his remarks, Obama criticized Donald Trump, accusing his administration of ethical lapses and self-enrichment while mocking several White House policies and appointments. The former president's visit to Detroit followed a campaign stop earlier in Ohio, forming part of his first weekend of in-person campaigning for the midterm elections.

The Michigan Senate contest is considered crucial for control of the chamber. El-Sayed is running against Republican nominee Mike Rogers, a former congressman backed by Trump who narrowly lost a Senate contest in 2024. Michigan has not elected a Republican to the US Senate in a quarter-century, but analysts view the current race as a toss-up. Recent polling shows a tight contest, with a mid-October Marist survey finding El-Sayed leading Rogers within the statistical margin of error.

Senator Elissa Slotkin also addressed the audience at the rally, stressing party unity and arguing that a Democratic victory would serve as an essential legislative check on the White House.

If victorious, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim and the first Egyptian American to serve in the US Senate. Trump is scheduled to hold a competing campaign event for Republican candidates on Sunday in Port Huron, Michigan.