Kamala Harris to Campaign With Michigan Senate Nominee Abdul El-Sayed
The vice president will join the Democratic candidate in a key battleground state as the party pushes to unify voters ahead of the November elections.
Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to campaign in Michigan next week with Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. This visit marks the first public appearance of the two together since Harris endorsed El-Sayed following his primary victory.
According to El-Sayed's campaign, Harris and the Democratic nominee, who is a doctor and former head of health departments in Detroit and Wayne County, will attend a roundtable discussion focused on Black maternal health on Tuesday.
"Vice President Harris looks forward to returning to Michigan to help turn out the vote in this critical state," said Eduardo Negrón, Harris' spokesperson. "It is critical we flip the Senate so we can bring down prices and stand up to Donald Trump’s corruption."
El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers, a former U.S. representative, in the general election. Republicans have targeted El-Sayed, characterizing him as a "radical" liberal.
The Michigan Senate seat, currently held by Democrat Gary Peters, is considered crucial for Democrats aiming to secure a majority in the Senate. Democrats need to flip four Republican-held seats to achieve a majority, assuming they retain the Michigan seat. A Republican victory in Michigan would further complicate the Democrats' path to majority control.
Following a contentious primary against Rep. Haley Stevens, which exposed divisions within the Democratic Party, other prominent Democrats have voiced support for El-Sayed. In August, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urged unity behind Democratic candidates in Detroit.
While in Michigan, Harris is also expected to meet with local elected officials and the Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the NAACP's Detroit branch.