Obama Backs El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Race at Detroit Rally

Former President Barack Obama rallied Democratic supporters at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday, October 24, endorsing U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson as Michigan opened statewide early voting. The appearance aimed to mobilize voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, with Republicans seeking to capture a closely contested Senate seat.

Thousands attended the campaign event, according to The Guardian. Obama emphasized healthcare affordability, economic fairness and accountability in government while criticizing President Donald Trump's administration and its trade policies toward Canada, Michigan's largest export market in 2025, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Obama described El-Sayed as a candidate who would continue efforts to expand healthcare access and challenge the influence of money in politics.

“He’ll finish the job we started with the Affordable Care Act and guarantee quality, affordable healthcare to every single American,” Obama said of El-Sayed.

Obama also characterized the Senate candidate as closely connected to the state through his upbringing and education at the University of Michigan.

“He’s as Michigan as it gets,” Obama said.

During his speech, Obama accused Trump of benefiting himself and his family while criticizing what he described as an administration culture of exchanging favors.

“Never seen a president so intent on selling favors like this,” Obama said.

He also mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his public focus on military personnel's physical appearance.

“How much time do you think this man spends in front of the mirror every day?” Obama asked.

On trade, Obama criticized Trump's approach toward neighboring Canada and questioned the administration's treatment of a major economic partner.

“These are the people who gave us Martin Short and maple syrup,” Obama said.

He also joked about Trump's White House renovation projects, including plans involving a ballroom and changes to the Rose Garden.

“He should be on HGTV,” Obama said.

“He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory,” he added.

El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health official, won the Democratic Senate nomination in an August primary against moderate Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Obama had not endorsed either candidate during the primary, and his Detroit appearance marked his first public campaign support for El-Sayed.

El-Sayed has advocated Medicare for All and previously characterized the Affordable Care Act as an incremental reform, a difference that had raised questions about whether Obama would endorse him.

“He showed us all what elegance, and grace and determination look like in a politician,” El-Sayed said, describing his admiration for Obama.

Obama acknowledged that the two Democrats do not agree on every policy question but emphasized their shared political values.

“We are not going to agree on every detail of every issue,” Obama said.

“You know who else doesn’t agree with everything I do? Michelle Obama,” he added.

Obama said their common priorities included economic fairness and ensuring political institutions serve people beyond those with the greatest power.

“We share those values of making sure everybody gets a fair shot in this society, and that the system’s not just run for those at the top,” Obama said.

The rally also featured Senator Elissa Slotkin, who won Michigan's 2024 Senate election by less than half a percentage point against Republican Mike Rogers. Slotkin supported the Democratic ticket despite potential policy differences with El-Sayed.

“Michigan believes in electing fighters,” Slotkin said.

“It’s OK because we agree on so much more,” she added.

Slotkin described the election as an opportunity to strengthen congressional oversight of the president.

“We’re putting a check and balance on Donald Trump in the White House,” she said.

Polling showed a close contest between El-Sayed and Rogers. A Marist poll of likely Michigan voters conducted in mid-October put El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48%, a difference within the poll's margin of error. The Cook Political Report classified the race as a toss-up, while the RealClearPolitics average showed El-Sayed leading by approximately 2.6 percentage points during a similar period.

Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat in 25 years, according to The Guardian, but the party considers the contest a potential pickup opportunity. Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump, is again seeking the seat after narrowly losing to Slotkin in 2024.

Trump has repeatedly attacked El-Sayed during the campaign, calling him a “jihadist” and alleging connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has strongly denied those allegations. The candidate has also faced criticism from Democratic establishment figures over appearances with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.

In a statement reported by CBS News, the Republican Governors Association criticized Democratic leadership in Michigan, citing energy costs, education rankings and public safety.

“Michiganders have been failed by years of Democrat control: the highest energy prices in the Midwest, an education system that ranks 45th in the nation, and six of Michigan cities are on the most dangerous list,” the association said.

The Republican gubernatorial nominee, U.S. Representative John James, is challenging Benson. If elected, James would become Michigan's first Black governor, while El-Sayed would become the first Muslim and first Egyptian American elected to the U.S. Senate.

Trump was scheduled to campaign in Port Huron on Sunday, October 25, in support of Rogers and James, extending the presidential campaign's focus on Michigan ahead of Election Day.