Obama phones Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Michigan November vote
Former President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed after the primary, signaling early support as the race heads toward the November election.
Former President Barack Obama held a telephone conversation with Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, in the days following the primary. El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health official, secured the nomination after a close contest with U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, winning 48.5% of the statewide Democratic vote compared with Stevens’ 47.5%.
El-Sayed’s campaign said the call was an "encouraging discussion" and indicated that both men look forward to working together to unite Democrats for the November election. > "Sometimes, you really should meet your heroes," El-Sayed said of the conversation.
The outreach follows Obama’s previous involvement in Michigan politics, including appearances in a 2020 Senate ad for incumbent Gary Peters and a 2022 campaign stop for Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has also reached out to Democratic voters, urging them not to feel "hopeless" after the primary and emphasizing his willingness to listen to constituents.
The Senate seat is open after Sen. Gary Peters announced he will not seek re-election. Both parties are positioning their candidates as ready to represent Michigan’s diverse electorate in the upcoming November race.