Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul el Sayed discusses strategy with Barack Obama after primary win

Progressive Democrat Abdul el Sayed announced that he spoke with former President Barack Obama following his primary victory over Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan. Describing the call as “warm and inspiring,” el Sayed said Obama offered counsel on how to unify the party and highlighted Michigan’s pivotal role in holding the current president accountable and reclaiming the Senate. The discussion, recounted on a journalist at one outlet the Press, left el Sayed hopeful that Obama might join him on the road against Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers.

Obama has not formally endorsed any candidate in the Michigan race, though he recently backed a Senate candidate in Iowa. El Sayed enjoys backing from figures such as Kamala Harris, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, while his opponent has launched ads targeting Democratic voters uneasy with el Sayed’s progressive stance.