Obama campaigns in Detroit for El-Sayed ahead of November 3 vote

Barack Obama addressed thousands of supporters at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday, offering his first public endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed in the race for the US Senate. The event took place on the first day of early voting in Michigan, a state where the general election is scheduled for November 3.

Obama praised El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health official, for his commitment to economic policy. He told the crowd that El-Sayed was 'fighting for change, real change, that will get money out of politics and put money in your pocket.' The former president also linked the campaign to the legacy of the Affordable Care Act, stating that El-Sayed would 'finish the job we started with the Affordable Care Act and guarantee quality, affordable healthcare to every single American.'

During the address, Obama directed sharp criticism at the administration of Donald Trump. He accused the current president of 'enriching himself and his family' and criticized the 'culture' of taking favors within the executive branch. Obama also mocked defense secretary Pete Hegseth, describing him as 'laser-focused' on the physical attributes of military personnel. On trade policy, Obama noted that Trump imposed high tariffs on Canada, a country he described as being 'just across the bridge from Detroit.'

The rally served as the second stop of Obama's first multi-day in-person campaign tour for the midterms. Earlier on Saturday, he campaigned in Cleveland, Ohio, for former senator Sherrod Brown and gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. In Detroit, Obama acknowledged past policy disagreements with El-Sayed, particularly regarding healthcare, but said, 'We are not going to agree on every detail of every issue.'

El-Sayed faces a competitive race against Republican nominee Mike Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump. The Cook Political Report rates the contest as a toss-up. A Marist poll of likely voters conducted in mid-October showed El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48%, a margin within the statistical error. RealClearPolitics averages place El-Sayed ahead by approximately 2.6 points. Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat in 25 years, though they view this race as a strong opportunity to regain control.

Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin spoke at the rally, telling the audience that 'Michigan believes in electing fighters.' She added that the party was 'putting a check and balance on Donald Trump in the White House.' Trump is scheduled to visit Port Huron on Sunday for a rally with state Republicans, marking the first presidential visit to St. Clair County.

Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee for governor, also appeared at the event. She faces Republican congressman John James in the gubernatorial race. If El-Sayed wins the Senate seat, he would become the first Muslim and first Egyptian American to serve in the US Senate. Obama closed his remarks by emphasizing the value of a fair system for all citizens, not just those at the top.