Obama Targets 51% Wayne County Gap in El-Sayed Push

Abdul El-Sayed trails by 51 points in Wayne County, a deficit that defines his path to the U.S. Senate. Barack Obama addressed that gap directly on Saturday in Detroit, telling thousands of supporters that the Democratic nominee must secure a majority in the region to win the state.

The former president made his first public appearance for El-Sayed at Cass Technical High School. The event coincided with the start of early voting in Michigan ahead of the general election on Nov. 3. Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic candidate for governor, also spoke to the crowd.

Obama acknowledged the friction between the two men. El-Sayed, a Medicare for All advocate, previously described the Affordable Care Act as an incremental fix. Obama conceded that El-Sayed "didn't like some things you did as president." He noted that they would not agree on every detail, comparing their relationship to the one he shares with his wife, Michelle.

The former president launched a series of attacks on President Donald Trump. He accused the White House of enriching the Trump family and establishing a culture of taking favors. Obama mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for focusing on the physical attributes of military personnel. He also poked fun at the administration's renovation projects, suggesting the White House looked like a Cheesecake Factory opened by Saddam Hussein.

Obama specifically targeted Trump's trade policy, noting that the president was toughest on Canada. He referenced the neighboring country's cultural contributions, including Martin Short and maple syrup. This comment resonated with a Detroit audience, as the city sits directly across the bridge from the Canadian border.

The Detroit stop was part of Obama's first in-person campaign weekend. He began the day in Cleveland, Ohio, where he campaigned for Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton. El-Sayed faces Republican challenger Mike Rogers in a race rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. A mid-October Marist poll showed El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48%, within the margin of error.

El-Sayed defeated Haley Stevens in the August primary. Stevens carried Wayne County by 51% to 45% in that contest. Obama previously campaigned in Detroit in October 2024 for Kamala Harris. The city is more than 75% Black, and El-Sayed would become the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the Senate if he wins.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who lost her 2024 primary, spoke at the rally. She told the audience that Michigan elects fighters and that the ticket would provide a check on the White House. Trump is scheduled to visit Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday for a rally with state Republicans.