Former President Barack Obama is set to campaign alongside Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit later this month. The rally, scheduled for October 24, will also feature other leading Democratic candidates in Michigan, including Jocelyn Benson, the party's nominee for governor. This event signals a significant increase in Obama's involvement in the midterm elections, with more campaign stops and advertisements expected in the coming weeks.
The Detroit event represents a notable show of support for El-Sayed, who secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in a closely contested August primary. El-Sayed is now working to consolidate party support in his race against Republican Mike Rogers for an open seat. This particular Senate contest is anticipated to be among the handful of races that will determine which party controls the majority in the next legislative session.
Obama's appearance is expected to provide a boost to El-Sayed, particularly as the rally coincides with the first day of Michigan’s required early in-person voting period. It will also benefit other candidates appearing, contributing to what is seen as one of Michigan's most consequential elections in recent history. Beyond the open Senate seat, Michigan residents will decide races for governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, with control of the state legislature also at stake.
Governor nominee Jocelyn Benson, who will also join Obama at the rally, is campaigning against Republican Rep. John James. Benson and James are scheduled to debate for the first time on Tuesday, while El-Sayed and Rogers are set for their first debate on October 8.
Obama has been ramping up his engagement in the midterm elections. He recently taped two dozen advertisements for Democratic candidates for governor and Senate, which are slated for release in the coming days and weeks. Earlier this year, he appeared in a campaign ad with Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek and campaigned in Texas with Senate candidate James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa. This week, he is scheduled to headline a Washington fundraiser supporting Democratic Senate candidates. Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black and South Asian person to serve as vice president, also campaigned with El-Sayed last month.
El-Sayed's path to the general election included a narrow victory over moderate Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary, winning by less than a percentage point. That primary became a national point of discussion regarding the Democratic Party’s ideological direction. El-Sayed received backing from prominent progressives, including Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. In contrast, Stevens had the support of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Notably, some advertisements supporting Stevens featured Obama praising her. Stevens also outperformed El-Sayed in Wayne County during the primary, securing approximately 51% of the Democratic primary vote compared to El-Sayed's 45%. Wayne County encompasses Detroit, where over three-quarters of residents are Black. Following his primary victory, Obama spoke with El-Sayed by phone.
While Obama has been selective in his involvement in midterms previously, his planned surge in activity for the final weeks aligns with his pattern in recent elections. He campaigned in Detroit on October 22 during the 2024 presidential election and returned to the city on October 29 during the 2022 midterms. His campaign appearances are known to draw significant crowds and attract notable guests; for instance, rapper Eminem introduced Obama at his Detroit rally in 2024. This week's schedule also includes headlining an event with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, featuring a conversation with Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester. This follows a similar event in September with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
