Obama backs Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Michigan Senate race

Former US President Barack Obama has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed for the upcoming Senate race in Michigan, following his victory in the Democratic primary. In a series of phone calls on Friday, Obama praised El-Sayed's efforts to bring the Democratic party in Michigan together after a contentious primary. According to Politico magazine, Obama's calls to El-Sayed and Representative Haley Stevens signaled his early support for El-Sayed's Senate campaign ahead of the November midterm elections.

A source close to the situation confirmed to Politico that Obama's call to El-Sayed was a clear indication of his backing. El-Sayed's campaign confirmed the conversation, expressing enthusiasm about working together to unite Democrats and achieve victory in November. This support is part of the campaign's broader strategy to mend divisions that arose from the primary.

Obama was not the only prominent Democrat to call Michigan's political leaders in support of unity. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, along with other high-profile Democrats such as Pete Buttigieg and Senator Mark Kelly, also reached out to party members to encourage cooperation. Obama also spoke with Stevens, lauding her commitment to uniting Democrats for the November election. Stevens reportedly requested a meeting with Obama, highlighting her prior collaboration with him on the US auto industry rescue team.