Former President Barack Obama will visit Detroit this month to rally with Abdul El-Sayed, marking a significant show of establishment support for a progressive candidate in one of the most consequential Senate races in the country. The rally is scheduled for October 24, as announced by the state’s Democratic Party on Monday, coinciding with the first day of in-person early voting and just 10 days before election day.
Context
El-Sayed, a doctor and former Wayne County health director, has positioned himself as a progressive challenger, advocating for Medicare for All and rejecting corporate PAC money. He narrowly defeated Congresswoman Haley Stevens by less than a percentage point in the primary, making this contest a national proxy battle over the Democratic Party's direction. His campaign has garnered support from notable figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Key Developments
- El-Sayed's Campaign Focus: He has made opposition to U.S. military aid to Israel and criticism of its actions in Gaza central to his platform, describing Israel's actions there as genocide.
- Funding Battles: In response, AIPAC and its allies spent a record-breaking $30 million to oppose him, while Stevens and her allies outspent El-Sayed nearly nine to one on advertising, according to AdImpact.
- Endorsements: Stevens, a moderate, received backing from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, incumbent Senator Gary Peters, and the party establishment. Obama’s presence at the rally is particularly significant in Detroit, where he remains highly popular among the predominantly Black population.
