Former president Obama to join Michigan Senate nominee El-Sayed on campaign trail in Detroit

Former US President Barack Obama will join Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed for a campaign appearance in Detroit on October 24, El-Sayed announced on X. The event comes as Jewish Democrats press El-Sayed on Israel and Jewish safety, while other Jewish voters have pledged support despite disagreements over his positions.

Former US President Barack Obama will join Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed for a campaign appearance in Detroit on October 24, El-Sayed announced on X on Monday. The post includes a campaign graphic featuring Obama, El-Sayed, and Jocelyn Benson but does not specify a venue or time. El-Sayed is facing Republican Mike Rogers in the November election to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. The announcement follows renewed calls from Jewish Democrats in Michigan for El-Sayed to address concerns about Jewish safety and his positions on Israel. In September, 17 Jewish Democratic elected officials, party leaders, and activists joined the Nonnegotiable Michigan campaign urging El-Sayed to affirm commitments concerning Jewish identity, safety, and Israeli statehood. Organizers said El-Sayed's campaign had not publicly addressed their requests. Meanwhile, more than 600 Michigan Jews signed an open letter pledging to vote for him, including former US representatives Sander and Andy Levin. The letter acknowledged reservations about El-Sayed's approach to Israel while urging support for his Senate bid. Sander Levin separately endorsed El-Sayed despite disagreements over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the candidate's lack of support for a two-state solution.