Obama backs El-Sayed in Detroit early voting rally

Barack Obama joined Abdul El-Sayed on stage at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday. The event marked the first day of early voting in Michigan ahead of the general election on November 3. Thousands of supporters filled the gymnasium for the former president's first public endorsement of the Democratic Senate nominee.

Obama told the crowd that El-Sayed is working to change the political system. He said the goal is to get money out of politics and put money in voters' pockets. The former president also pointed to the Affordable Care Act. He said El-Sayed would finish the work started to guarantee quality and affordable healthcare for every American.

The endorsement resolved a period of uncertainty. Obama did not campaign for El-Sayed during the August primary. He stayed on the sidelines as El-Sayed defeated moderate congresswoman Haley Stevens. Stevens had the support of the Democratic establishment and pro-Israel groups. El-Sayed, a doctor and former Wayne County health official, has since described Obama as a mentor.

Obama directed sharp criticism at President Donald Trump. He accused the administration of enriching the president and his family. Obama said the White House has created a culture of taking favors. He asked the audience how much time Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spends in front of a mirror. Obama mocked Hegseth's focus on the jawlines and testosterone levels of military troops.

The former president also addressed tariff policy. He said Trump has been toughest on Canada. Obama noted that the Canadian border is close to Detroit. He joked that the two countries share Martin Short and maple syrup. He also criticized the renovations at the White House, including the new ballroom and Rose Garden projects. He suggested the current president should appear on a home improvement television show.

Obama acknowledged that he and El-Sayed do not agree on every policy detail. He noted that El-Sayed once called the Affordable Care Act an incremental fix. Obama said they spoke by phone after the primary. He told the crowd that he and El-Sayed share a commitment to giving everyone a fair shot. He said the system should not be run only for those at the top.

El-Sayed faces a competitive race in Michigan. Republicans have not held a Senate seat in the state for 25 years. However, they view this contest as a strong opportunity for a pickup. El-Sayed is running against Mike Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump. Rogers lost to Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin by less than half a percentage point in 2024. The Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up.

Polling data shows a close margin. A Marist poll of likely voters in mid-October put El-Sayed at 50 percent and Rogers at 48 percent. The difference is within the margin of error. RealClearPolitics averages show El-Sayed leading by about 2.6 points. In Wayne County, where Detroit is located, El-Sayed has the most ground to make up. Stevens won that county by about 51 percent to 45 percent in the primary.

Senator Elissa Slotkin spoke at the rally. She said Michigan voters prefer to elect fighters. She stated that she and El-Sayed agree on more issues than they disagree on. She said they are putting a check and balance on the White House. Trump has attacked El-Sayed during the campaign, calling him a jihadist based on his middle name. El-Sayed denies any ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Trump is scheduled to campaign in Michigan on Sunday. He will hold a rally with state Republicans in Port Huron. This will be the first presidential visit to St. Clair County. If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the US Senate. Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic candidate for governor, also spoke at the Detroit rally. She faces Republican congressman John James in the state's gubernatorial race.