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

Barack Obama is set to campaign with Democratic candidates in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday in an effort to bolster the party's chances in the upcoming midterm elections. The former president's first stop will be Cleveland, where he will join former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, who is challenging Republican Senator Jon Husted. Brown's opponent, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, will also attend the rally.

While Ohio has become more reliably Republican in recent years, the state remains a critical battleground this year, with both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance visiting recently to rally support for Husted and Ramaswamy.

Next, Obama will head to a rally in Detroit for Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat running for governor. El-Sayed, a former public health official, won a close primary against incumbent Republican Mike Rogers by less than one percentage point. In a statement, El-Sayed thanked Obama for his support, acknowledging that while Obama may have done things differently, he still achieved significant opportunities for the people.

Michigan's gubernatorial race, along with contests for attorney general and secretary of state, will also be highlighted during the visit.

Down the ballot in Michigan, Democratic nominee Jocelyn Benson for governor and other candidates will join Obama at a rally. Benson, who is facing Republican Rep. John James, will be part of the broader Democratic effort to solidify support in the state. Obama will continue his campaign efforts in Georgia next week, where he will headline a rally with Sen. Jon Ossoff and candidate for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms. In Georgia, Trump is also scheduled to speak at the event.