Obama to Campaign With El-Sayed

Barack Obama is heading to Detroit this month to give Michigan Democrats a marquee name on the campaign trail just as early voting gets underway. The state party said Monday that the former president will appear on Oct. 24 with Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson, and other Democrats at a rally 10 days before Election Day. El-Sayed welcomed the assist, Politico reports. "It is my honor and privilege to announce that President @BarackObama is joining us on the trail in Detroit," he posted, adding, "Get. Ready."

Democrats are trying to hold an open Senate seat as El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers, while Benson, currently Michigan's secretary of state, is running for governor against Republican Rep. John James. Obama, still one of the party's biggest draws, has kept a relatively light campaign schedule this cycle, with earlier stops in Texas and an ad appearance for Iowa Senate nominee Josh Turek. The Washington Post notes that Obama often waits until near the end of a campaign to step in. He's also slated to headline a Washington-area fundraiser this week for Senate Democrats' campaign arm.