Former US President Barack Obama is scheduled to rally with Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit on 24 October, the Michigan Democratic party announced. The event will also feature gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson.
This rally marks a significant show of support for El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in what is described as one of the country's most consequential Senate races. The date of the rally falls on the first day of Michigan's in-person early voting period and 10 days before the election day.
El-Sayed, a doctor and former Wayne county health director, secured his nomination in August, beating Haley Stevens by less than a percentage point. He is running for the seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Gary Peters, against Republican former congressman Mike Rogers. A Marist poll from late September showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 51% to 44% among registered voters.