Michigan Senate: Obama Targets Wayne County Deficit

Barack Obama spoke to thousands in Detroit on Saturday to support Abdul El-Sayed's bid for the US Senate.

The rally took place at Cass Technical High School on the first day of early voting in Michigan. The general election is scheduled for November 3. Jocelyn Benson, the secretary of state and Democratic nominee for governor, also addressed the crowd.

El-Sayed faces a steep challenge in Wayne County, where Detroit is the county seat. In the August primary, moderate congressional candidate Haley Stevens beat El-Sayed in that district by 51 percent to 45 percent. Obama said he intended to help El-Sayed reverse that deficit. He told the audience that El-Sayed is fighting for change that will move money out of politics and into voters' pockets.

The former president made the trip to Detroit after spending the morning in Cleveland, Ohio. There, he campaigned for former senator Sherrod Brown and governor nominee Amy Acton. This marks the first weekend of in-person campaigning for Obama during this midterm cycle.

Obama acknowledged past friction between himself and El-Sayed. El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health official, has advocated for Medicare for All. He previously described the Affordable Care Act, Obama's signature legislation, as an incremental fix. Obama noted that El-Sayed did not agree with every decision he made as president. He said, "We are not going to agree on every detail of every issue." He added that even his wife, Michelle Obama, disagrees with some of his actions.

The former president criticized the current administration, accusing Donald Trump of enriching himself and his family. He said the White House has created a culture of taking favors. Obama mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for focusing on the physical attributes of troops. He also joked about Trump's renovations to the White House, including the new ballroom and Rose Garden projects.

On the issue of tariffs, Obama said Trump is toughest on Canada. He pointed out that Canada is just across the bridge from Detroit. He noted that the country provided the US with Martin Short and maple syrup. He also referenced Trump's middle name, a point Trump has used to attack El-Sayed as a "jihadist." El-Sayed denies these allegations and his ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Current polling data shows the race remains tight. A Marist poll of likely voters from mid-October placed El-Sayed at 50 percent and Republican challenger Mike Rogers at 48 percent. That margin is within the error range. RealClearPolitics reports an average lead of about 2.6 points for El-Sayed. The Cook Political Report rates the contest as a toss-up.

Slotkin, the incumbent Democratic senator, spoke at the rally. She told the crowd that Michigan elects fighters. She said she and El-Sayed agree on more than they disagree on. She described their partnership as a check and balance on the White House.

Rogers is a former congressman endorsed by Trump. He lost the 2024 Senate race to Slotkin by less than half a percentage point. Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday. It will be the first presidential visit to St. Clair County. If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the US Senate. Benson faces John James, who would become Michigan's first Black governor if he wins.