Former President Barack Obama stood before a crowd in Detroit this past Saturday and made his choice clear. He endorsed Abdul El-Sayed for the United States Senate. The rally at Cass Technical High School marked a significant moment in a tight race. It was the first day of early voting in Michigan. Obama did not hold back. He framed the election as a battle for the soul of the country’s democracy.
He told thousands of supporters that El-Sayed is fighting for real change. He said this change would get money out of politics. He promised it would put money in your pocket. Obama argued El-Sayed would finish the job started by the Affordable Care Act. He pledged the candidate would guarantee quality, affordable healthcare for every American.
This was Obama’s first in-person campaign event of the midterms. He started the day in Cleveland, Ohio. His stop in Detroit served a dual purpose. It boosted El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee. It also aided Jocelyn Benson, the party’s candidate for governor. The rally was squarely a get-out-the-vote effort. Obama used his platform to draw a sharp contrast. He attacked the current administration relentlessly.
He accused Donald Trump of enriching himself and his family. Obama said the administration had established a culture of taking favors at the very top. He stated he had never seen a president so intent on selling favors. His criticism extended to Trump’s cabinet. He mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Obama questioned how much time Hegseth spends in front of the mirror each day. He said the secretary seemed laser-focused on the jawline and testosterone levels of troops.
On policy, Obama targeted Trump’s trade approach. He joked that Trump was toughest on that well-known evil empire, Canada. He noted Canada is just minutes from Detroit across the bridge. These are the people who gave us Martin Short and maple syrup, Obama said. He even critiqued Trump’s renovations to the White House. Obama suggested Trump should be on HGTV. He said the White House now looks like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.
The endorsement itself was not a foregone conclusion. Questions had lingered for months. El-Sayed is a champion of Medicare for All. He had previously called the Affordable Care Act an incremental fix. That law is Obama’s signature domestic achievement. The two men spoke by phone after El-Sayed won a bitter August primary. El-Sayed has since called Obama a mentor. Obama addressed their differences directly from the stage.
He acknowledged some people point out that El-Sayed didn’t like some things he did as president. 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 emphasized their shared values. Obama said they believe in making sure everybody gets a fair shot. He said they agree the system should not just be run for those at the top.
El-Sayed emerged from a difficult primary against moderate Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Stevens had the backing of the Democratic establishment and pro-Israel groups. El-Sayed, a doctor and former Wayne County health official, beat her. He now faces Republican Mike Rogers. Rogers is a former congressman endorsed by Donald Trump. He lost a 2024 Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin by less than half a point.
Slotkin also spoke at the Detroit rally. She told the crowd Michigan believes in electing fighters. She dismissed any policy disagreements with El-Sayed. It’s OK because we agree on so much more, Slotkin said. She stated their shared goal is putting a check and balance on Donald Trump.
The race is nationally competitive. Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat in 25 years. They see this as one of their best pickup opportunities. The Cook Political Report rates it a toss-up. Polling shows a dead heat. A mid-October Marist poll of likely voters showed El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48%. That result is within the margin of error. RealClearPolitics’s average had El-Sayed ahead by about 2.6 points recently.
Trump has made El-Sayed a frequent target. He has called him a jihadist. He has pointed to his middle name. Trump alleges ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which El-Sayed strongly denies. These attacks have created some of the most viral moments of the campaign. El-Sayed has also faced criticism from establishment Democrats for appearing with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.
The political ground is crucial. El-Sayed has the most work to do in Wayne County, where Detroit is the county seat. Stevens beat him there in the primary, 51% to 45%. Obama last campaigned in Detroit for Kamala Harris in October 2024. Harris herself appeared with El-Sayed in the city last month.
Trump is scheduled to campaign in Michigan today. He will hold a rally for Republicans in Port Huron. The city says it will be the first presidential visit to St. Clair County.
The stakes are historic. If elected, Abdul El-Sayed would be the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the U.S. Senate. In the governor’s race, Jocelyn Benson faces Republican Congressman John James. A James victory would make him Michigan’s first Black governor.
Obama’s message in Detroit was a call to action. He framed the election as a direct choice between two visions:
- Protects democracy
- Expands healthcare
- Prioritizes personal gain
- Pits people against each other
- Values everyone’s voice
- Promotes division
His full-throated endorsement aims to energize a Democratic base in a state that will decide control of the Senate.
| Candidate | Party | Current Position | Endorsement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul El-Sayed | Democratic | Former Health Official | Barack Obama |
| Mike Rogers | Republican | Former Congressman | Donald Trump |
| Jocelyn Benson | Democratic | Candidate for Governor | Barack Obama |
| Haley Stevens | Democratic | Congresswoman | N/A |
| John James | Republican | Congressman | N/A |
| Elissa Slotkin | Democratic | Congresswoman | N/A |
