Obama campaigns in Detroit to support Abdul El-Sayed

Barack Obama stood before thousands of voters in Detroit on Saturday to endorse Abdul El-Sayed for the US Senate. The event took place at Cass Technical High School on the first day of early voting in Michigan. The state holds its general election on November 3.

Obama told the crowd that El-Sayed would finish the work started by the Affordable Care Act. He pledged to guarantee quality and affordable healthcare to every American. This was the former president's first public appearance in support of El-Sayed. The doctor and former Wayne County health official won a contentious primary in August. He defeated Haley Stevens, a moderate congresswoman backed by the Democratic establishment.

The rally came after a period of uncertainty regarding Obama's support. El-Sayed, a supporter of Medicare for All, had previously described the Affordable Care Act as an incremental fix. The two men spoke by phone after the primary. El-Sayed has since called Obama a mentor. Obama acknowledged their differences, noting that El-Sayed did not like everything he did as president. He joked that Michelle Obama also disagrees with many of his decisions.

Obama directed criticism at Donald Trump and his administration. He accused Trump of enriching himself and his family through favors. He mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for focusing on the physical appearance of troops. The former president also ridiculed Trump's tariff policies, noting they targeted Canada. He called Canada a well-known evil empire that provided the US with Martin Short and maple syrup. Obama also jabbed at the White House renovations, comparing the interior design to a Cheesecake Factory.

The Detroit stop was part of Obama's first weekend of in-person campaigning for the midterms. He began the day in Cleveland, Ohio, where he supported Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton. He delivered similar critiques of the White House and the Republican Party during that event.

El-Sayed faces a challenge in Wayne County, where Detroit is located. In the August primary, Stevens won the county with about 51 percent of the vote. El-Sayed received 45 percent. The Democratic senator Elissa Slotkin spoke at the rally. She said Michigan believes in electing fighters. She noted that she and El-Sayed agree on more than they disagree. Their goal is to put a check on the president.

Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat for 25 years. They view this race as a strong opportunity. El-Sayed runs against Mike Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump. Rogers lost a close Senate race in 2024. The Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up. A Marist poll from mid-October shows El-Sayed at 50 percent and Rogers at 48 percent. RealClearPolitics reports an average lead of 2.6 points for El-Sayed.

Trump has criticized El-Sayed during the campaign. He called the candidate a jihadist and pointed to his middle name. He alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed denies these connections. He has also faced criticism from some in his 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 with state Republicans. That will be the first presidential visit to St. Clair County.

If elected, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the US Senate. His opponent, John James, is running for governor. If James wins, he would be Michigan's first Black governor. Obama closed his speech by emphasizing fair chances in society. He said the system should not be run only for those at the top.