Key facts
- Kamala Harris campaigned for Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan.
- Harris and El-Sayed appeared together at a Detroit birth center.
- Harris criticized Donald Trump's administration for cutting Medicaid funding and halting diversity-related research.
- El-Sayed supports universal healthcare and has expressed views critical of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
- El-Sayed narrowly defeated Congresswoman Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary.
- Michigan is a key state for Democrats seeking a Senate majority.
Vice President Kamala Harris visited Michigan on Tuesday to campaign for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, aiming to rally support for the progressive nominee and address divisions within the Democratic party. Appearing with El-Sayed at a Detroit birth center, Harris focused on Black maternal health and framed the upcoming election against Republican Mike Rogers as a critical fight over women's access to healthcare.
Harris criticized the Trump administration's policies, including alleged cuts to Medicaid funding and the halting of diversity-related research, and positioned the Senate as a necessary check on the current administration. El-Sayed thanked Harris for highlighting these issues.
The race for the open Senate seat, previously held by Democrat Gary Peters, is crucial for the party's path to a Senate majority. El-Sayed, who advocates for universal healthcare, narrowly won a contentious primary against Congresswoman Haley Stevens. The primary exposed rifts within the party, particularly concerning El-Sayed's stance on Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which he has called a genocide, a position that aligns with a growing segment of the electorate, especially within Michigan's Arab American community. This stance contrasts with the Biden-Harris administration's support for Israel.
The visit also occurs amid speculation about Harris's own political future, as Michigan is slated to be an early contest in the 2028 Democratic primary calendar. Harris urged attendees to recognize their power in influencing the election's outcome.