Obama urges Detroit voters to close 51 percent gap for El-Sayed

Barack Obama stood before a crowd of thousands at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday to endorse Abdul El-Sayed for the U.S. Senate. The rally coincided with the opening of early voting in Michigan ahead of the November 3 general election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee for governor, also spoke to the audience.

Obama emphasized that El-Sayed is fighting for economic change that will put money in voters' pockets. He stated that the candidate would finish the work begun with the Affordable Care Act by guaranteeing quality and affordable healthcare to all Americans. This marked Obama's first public endorsement of El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health official. El-Sayed won a contentious August primary against Haley Stevens, a moderate congresswoman who had the support of the Democratic establishment.

The former president launched a direct attack on Donald Trump, accusing him of enriching his family and establishing a culture of taking favors. Obama questioned how much time Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spends looking in the mirror, mocking his focus on the appearance of U.S. troops. He also criticized Trump's tariffs, noting that the administration has been toughest on Canada, a neighbor that provides the United States with maple syrup and Martin Short.

Wayne County, where Detroit is located, remains El-Sayed's largest hurdle. Stevens defeated him there by a margin of 51 percent to 45 percent in the primary. Obama acknowledged past disagreements with the candidate, noting that El-Sayed had criticized some of his presidential decisions. He said the two do not agree on every detail but share the value of ensuring everyone gets a fair shot.

The Detroit appearance was part of Obama's first weekend of in-person campaigning for the midterms. He had earlier stumped in Cleveland, Ohio, for Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton. El-Sayed currently trails in Wayne County but leads in statewide polls. A Marist poll from mid-October showed El-Sayed at 50 percent and Republican opponent Mike Rogers at 48 percent. RealClearPolitics averages place El-Sayed ahead by 2.6 points.

Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump, faces El-Sayed in a race rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat in 25 years. El-Sayed would be the first Muslim and first Egyptian American to serve in the body if elected. Trump is scheduled to campaign in Port Huron on Sunday, where he plans to rally state Republicans.

Elissa Slotkin, the incumbent U.S. representative and a featured speaker, told the crowd that Michigan elects fighters. She stated that any disagreements with El-Sayed are outweighed by their shared goals to check the power of the White House. Obama concluded by asserting that the system should not be run solely for those at the top.