Former President Barack Obama will campaign in Detroit on Saturday alongside Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, marking a high-profile endorsement just 10 days before the midterm elections. The event follows Obama’s formal endorsement of El-Sayed in an October 12 campaign ad, urging supporters to back the progressive Senate candidate.
El-Sayed’s primary victory in August came after a narrow defeat of Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, with polling indicating Stevens drew stronger support among Black Democratic voters. El-Sayed performed strongly among Arab American voters but faced scrutiny over past criticism of Obama, including a 2012 essay accusing the former president of falling short on progressive promises.
The rally in Detroit is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson also scheduled to appear. The event is framed by state Democrats as an effort to boost early voting, which opened statewide this week. Obama last campaigned in Detroit in October 2024 for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Michigan’s political landscape has shifted in recent years, backing Donald Trump in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and returning to Trump in 2024. Black voters remain a critical Democratic constituency in the state, with low turnout or defections potentially impacting the party’s Senate control. El-Sayed’s campaign has emphasized building bridges with the Democratic establishment amid ongoing questions about his support among key blocs.
Obama’s endorsement comes as Republicans question El-Sayed’s appeal to Black voters, a group whose turnout could determine control of the Senate. Polling cited by conservatives suggests El-Sayed’s support among Black Democrats remains uneven compared to Stevens during the primary. The former president’s presence is expected to draw significant attention, though his influence in the state has faced recent scrutiny.
El-Sayed’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the rally or polling dynamics. Obama’s office also did not provide additional details on the event’s location or expected turnout.