Former Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to Michigan on Tuesday to campaign alongside Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed. The two Democrats will host a roundtable in the Detroit area focused on Black maternal health, a priority Harris highlighted during her tenure as vice president.
Local events and community outreach
After the roundtable, Harris will attend a private reception hosted by the Oakland County Democratic Party, chaired by former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence. The event is expected to feature a speech by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson. Later in the day, Harris will meet with Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the NAACP’s Detroit branch, Rev. Genetta Hatcher of The Room Church, and other local faith leaders to discuss voter turnout.
Political context
Michigan is a key battleground for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to take control of the chamber, and retaining the seat of retiring Senator Gary Peters is essential. El‑Sayed, a former public‑health official in Wayne County, secured the Democratic nomination after a competitive primary against Rep. Haley Stevens.
El‑Sayed’s primary victory was driven by strong support from progressive voters, while many Black voters, including Rev. Anthony, backed Stevens. Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers has been courting both Black Democrats and Jewish voters, noting El‑Sayed’s past criticism of Israel and a statement on an antisemitic attack at a West Bloomfield synagogue.
Community reactions
Rev. Anthony said the endorsement of El‑Sayed is “still a work in progress,” but added, “I think he’s a good man… he’s saying some of the right things.” Local voter Stephanie Stamps from Farmington expressed tentative support for Harris’s possible 2028 presidential run, noting that Harris “hasn’t been as visible lately.” Stamps also hopes Harris’s presence will motivate voters who stayed home in 2024.
El‑Sayed emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “It’s important that we bring different groups of people together. Democracy is not about dividing; it’s about bringing people together.” He thanked Harris for speaking on his behalf.
Broader campaign schedule
In addition to the Michigan trip, Harris plans to campaign with Democrats in Nevada and Georgia over the coming weeks, continuing her effort to boost the party’s prospects in the upcoming midterms.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
