Barack Obama campaigns for Democrats in Michigan and Ohio ahead of midterms

Former President Barack Obama held rallies in Detroit and Cleveland on Saturday to support Democratic candidates less than two weeks before the midterm elections.

Obama appeared alongside Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed at a Detroit rally to encourage early voting, which began Saturday in the state. According to NBC News and The Guardian, the former president characterized El-Sayed as a candidate who would protect the Affordable Care Act and work to remove the influence of money from politics. The event at Cass Technical High School also featured Jocelyn Benson, the party's candidate for governor, and other Democratic candidates.

During his remarks, Obama criticized the Trump administration's policies and conduct. He mocked President Trump's focus on White House renovations, suggesting he belonged on HGTV, and questioned the administration's use of tariffs against Canada. The Guardian reported that Obama also aimed at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, questioning his focus on the physical appearance of military troops. Obama further accused the current administration of fostering a culture of taking favors to enrich the president’s family.

The Michigan rally followed an earlier stop in Cleveland, Ohio, where Obama campaigned for former Ohio senator Sherrod Brown and Democratic nominee for governor Amy Acton. In both states, Obama and local candidates addressed the impact of the Iran War and trade policies on the region. El-Sayed credited Obama with managing nuclear threats without conflict and protecting auto industry jobs during the financial crisis, contrasting that record with current administration policies.

The Detroit appearance was specifically aimed at shoring up support among Black voters, who make up 75% of the city's population. NBC News noted that Detroit is seen as a critical factor for statewide Democratic victories, especially after El-Sayed underperformed in the city during his primary contest against Representative Haley Stevens. El-Sayed is facing Republican Mike Rogers in the upcoming general election on November 3.

Background

The Detroit rally marked Obama's first public endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed, who won a contentious August primary against a moderate opponent. Obama had remained neutral during that primary race before joining the campaign trail this weekend.