Obama rallies Detroit for El-Sayed on day one of Michigan early voting

Former President Barack Obama told a crowd at Cass Technical High School on Saturday that Abdul El-Sayed would 'finish the job we started with the Affordable Care Act.' The rally marked the first day of early voting in Michigan ahead of the November 3 general election. Obama's presence signaled his full endorsement of the Democratic Senate nominee after a period of hesitation.

The timing of the event was strategic. El-Sayed trails in Wayne County, where Detroit is the county seat, following the August primary. In that contest, moderate congresswoman Haley Stevens defeated El-Sayed by a margin of approximately 51% to 45%. Obama aimed to close that gap before the general election.

Obama had remained on the sidelines during the primary despite questions about his support for El-Sayed. El-Sayed, a doctor and former Wayne County health official, defeated Stevens with the backing of the Democratic establishment. El-Sayed has described Obama as a mentor figure since the primary, and the two have reconciled their differing views on health care policy.

During the speech, Obama directed sharp criticism at President Donald Trump. He accused the administration of setting a culture of taking favors and enriching the president's family. Obama mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for focusing on the physical traits of troops, asking the audience how much time Hegseth spends in front of a mirror.

The former president also targeted Trump's tariff policies, noting that the administration has been harshest on Canada. He referenced the proximity of Detroit to the border and the cultural ties between the two countries. Obama also ridiculed the White House renovations, comparing the aesthetic to a Cheesecake Factory opened by Saddam Hussein.

The Detroit stop was the second event of Obama's first weekend of in-person midterm campaigning. He began the day in Cleveland, Ohio, where he supported former senator Sherrod Brown and governor nominee Amy Acton. Senator Elissa Slotkin, who lost a 2024 Senate race by less than half a percentage point, also spoke at the Detroit rally.

Polls show a tight race. A Marist poll conducted in mid-October placed El-Sayed at 50% and Republican nominee Mike Rogers at 48%, within the margin of error. RealClearPolitics averages show El-Sayed ahead by about 2.6 points. The Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up. Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat in 25 years, but they view this race as a strong pickup opportunity.

Trump is scheduled to visit Michigan on Sunday for a rally in Port Huron. This will be the first presidential visit to St. Clair County. If elected, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the U.S. Senate. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic candidate for governor, also addressed the crowd at Cass Technical High School.