Obama campaigns for El-Sayed and Benson in Detroit

Former President Barack Obama campaigned in Detroit on October 24 for Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson, urging voters to support the state’s Democratic ticket ahead of the November 3 midterm election. At a rally at Cass Technical High School, Obama addressed Republican attacks portraying El-Sayed as foreign or un-American, saying he had faced similar attacks and that they would not succeed against the Michigan candidate. Obama also described El-Sayed as born in Michigan and said they shared a commitment to access to health care. The Detroit event was Obama’s second campaign stop of the day, following an appearance in Cleveland, Ohio. He urged support for El-Sayed, Benson and other Democrats on the ballot. The rally brought a high-profile former president into a Senate contest that could affect control of the chamber, while also supporting the Democratic nominee for governor. El-Sayed welcomed Obama’s backing. In a statement announcing the campaign appearance earlier in October, he called Obama an inspiration and said his support was critical to the campaign. The two had disagreed publicly over Obama’s presidency: after...