Barack Obama to rally for Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan before key US Senate race – US politics live

Key events

Joseph Gedeon

Abdul El-Sayed, a doctor and former Wayne county health director, ran on Medicare for All and a refusal to take corporate Pac money, and was backed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

He made opposition to US military aid to Israel and criticism of its conduct in Gaza central to his campaign, and has described Israel’s actions there as genocide. Aipac and its allies as a result spent a record-breaking $30m trying to stop him, according to AdImpact.

Barack Obama’s presence matters most in Detroit, where Black residents make up more than three-quarters of the population and where he is still highly popular.

Kamala Harris, the first Black and south Asian vice-president, campaigned with El-Sayed last month, and Obama phoned him after the primary.

Hundreds of Michiganders have gathered outside Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan, where former president Barack Obama will stump for Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at a rally slated to begin in about an hour.

Supporters wait in line ahead of a midterm election campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan, USA, 24 October 2026. Photograph: Ari Saperstein/EPA

Campaign buttons are displayed for sale on a board ahead of a midterm election campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan, USA, 24 October 2026. Photograph: Ari Saperstein/EPA

Obama to rally for El-Sayed in Detroit ahead of key US Senate race

Good afternoon and welcome to a rare weekend edition of the Guardian’s US politics live blog.

We are coming to you live as US midterm elections draw closer and candidates are jockeying fiercely to win the hearts, minds and votes of the American people.

As part of progressive Abdul El-Sayed’s effort to do just that, he’s added Democratic star power to his rally lineup tonight in Detroit: former president Barack Obama will take the stage and offer his support to the Senate hopeful.

This rally falls on the first day of Michigan’s in-person early voting period and 10 days before election day.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest news from the rally and beyond.