Former President Barack Obama's endorsement of Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has failed to uniformly persuade Black voters in Detroit, according to interviews conducted by Fox News Digital. While the former president's backing is intended to solidify support in a key constituency, several undecided Black voters said the endorsement alone did not change their minds about El-Sayed.
Fox News Digital spoke with more than a dozen Black voters in Detroit, finding a divided reception. Mercedes, an undecided voter, described the endorsement as a "turn-off," citing a belief that candidates use Obama to manipulate the Democratic vote. Anthony, another undecided voter, stated that while Obama's image of "hope" is strong, he does not believe the former president did enough for the community or minority-owned businesses to sway his vote.
The mixed reaction extends to voters who already support El-Sayed. One such voter noted that they value the candidate's character over endorsements, stating that Obama's support did not influence their decision. However, roughly half of the voters interviewed said the endorsement improved their opinion of El-Sayed, though none of these supporters claimed to be undecided prior to the announcement. Jamel, a voter planning to support El-Sayed, identified as an "Obama stan" and said the former president's backing meant a lot to the community.
The endorsement highlights a political reversal for El-Sayed, who sharply criticized Obama in a 2012 opinion column. In that piece, El-Sayed accused Obama of perpetuating war and violating civil liberties. El-Sayed has since walked back those criticisms, praising Obama's handling of the circumstances he inherited. Voters were divided on this shift; Juanita called it nonsensical for Obama to endorse a former critic, while Anthony viewed it as an opportunity to highlight how their objectives have aligned over time.
Despite the local skepticism regarding the endorsement's persuasive power, the interviews echo broader concerns about El-Sayed's support among Black voters. Pre-primary polling showed stronger support for Representative Haley Stevens among Black Democratic voters, and a recent MS NOW focus group found reluctance among Black Michigan voters to back El-Sayed. A Fox News poll from late September indicated that 77% of African American voters were supportive of El-Sayed, a figure described as significantly below the usual Democratic benchmark for that demographic.
Kandia Milton, a government affairs professional with ties to Detroit's African American community, pushed back against the narrative that El-Sayed will struggle with Black voters in November. Milton characterized Obama's endorsement as a "great shot in the arm" that addresses past tensions between the two men. She argued that many voters are informed and are conducting their own research on El-Sayed rather than relying solely on endorsements.
Fox News' most recent Power Rankings categorize Michigan's Senate race as a "toss-up." A representative for Obama and the El-Sayed campaign did not respond to requests for comment.