Obama call boosts El-Sayed as Michigan Democrats seek unity

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed said he spoke Friday with former President Barack Obama as party leaders try to heal divisions after a bruising primary. El-Sayed, who narrowly defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens last week, said he hopes Obama will campaign in Michigan before the November midterms. An Obama spokesperson confirmed the call. The outreach came as Michigan Democrats rallied in Detroit to show unity behind El-Sayed, a former public health official whose win exposed tensions between the party's progressive and moderate wings. The seat is open because Sen. Gary Peters is not seeking reelection. El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers, who has already tried to court disaffected Democrats.