Barack Obama, Abdul El-Sayed discuss Michigan Senate race in phone call
Key Points:
- Former President Barack Obama recently spoke with Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, signaling early support following El-Sayed's primary win for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat.
- El-Sayed, who narrowly defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in a heated primary, expressed admiration for Obama and highlighted his own political inspiration from Obama's historic 2008 presidential victory.
- Obama’s backing could be crucial for El-Sayed, especially given El-Sayed's weaker performance in Michigan cities with large Black populations, such as Detroit, where Stevens won decisively.
- Republican nominee Mike Rogers has sought to attract disaffected Democratic voters after the divisive primary, emphasizing hope and representation for all Michiganders.
- Obama has a history of campaigning in Michigan to support Democrats, including appearances for Sen. Gary Peters in 2020 and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2022, which may benefit El-Sayed in the upcoming general election.