Obama to campaign with fellow Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in key Michigan Senate race

Obama has generally stayed out of the spotlight since leaving the White House, though he has ocassionally appeared on the campaign trail for other Democratic candidates.

By Ben Whedon

Published: October 5, 2026 4:25pm

Updated: October 5, 2026 5:02pm

Former President Barack Obama will appear with Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in the closing days of his tight race with GOP nominee Mike Rogers.

The Oct. 24 event in Detroit will also include Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is seeking the governorship, the Michigan Democratic Party announced Monday.

The Senate race is one of the most competitive of the midterm cycle among as many as seven that will determine whether Democrats retake control of the upper chamber from Republicans.

Obama has been selective since leaving office regarding who he will campaign for and has historically increased his public presence in the final stretch of high-stakes elections.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.