Former President Barack Obama has recorded campaign ads for two dozen Democratic candidates for the Senate and governor, his team told Politico on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. The spots will be released over the coming days and weeks, with more appearances still to be announced. The midterms are Nov. 3.
Obama, 65, headlined a Washington-area fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) on Wednesday, Oct. 7, his first with the Senate campaign arm this cycle. He was joined in conversation by Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, a DSCC vice chair.
A Detroit Rally as Early Voting Opens
Obama will headline a Detroit rally on Saturday, Oct. 24, with Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson and other statewide candidates, the Michigan Democratic Party announced Monday, Oct. 5. The date falls 10 days before Election Day and is the first day of Michigan’s required early in-person voting period.
El-Sayed welcomed the news on social media, calling Obama’s visit an honor.
Strategy for the Final Stretch
Obama is choosing his stops carefully. His approach “is driven by where he can move the needle with Democrats and persuadable voters, particularly in states with key races,” according to Obama’s aides.
So far he has campaigned in Texas with Senate nominee James Talarico and gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa, appeared in an ad for Iowa Senate nominee Josh Turek and headlined a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) event in September.
Why Michigan Matters
Sen. Gary Peters is retiring, leaving an open Senate seat that is expected to help decide which party controls the chamber. Michigan voters will also choose a new governor, secretary of state and attorney general, and control of the legislature is at stake.
Benson, the secretary of state, and Republican Rep. John James held their first debate Tuesday, Oct. 6. El-Sayed and Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers are scheduled to debate for the first time Thursday, Oct. 8.
El-Sayed’s Path After the Primary
El-Sayed beat Rep. Haley Stevens by less than a percentage point in the August primary, a contest viewed nationally as a test of the party’s direction. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backed El-Sayed, while Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer supported Stevens, whose primary ads included footage of Obama praising her.
Stevens carried Wayne County, which includes Detroit, by roughly 51 percent to 45 percent. More than three-quarters of Detroit residents are Black. Obama phoned El-Sayed after his win, and former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned with him in September.
The National Picture
A CNN poll conducted May 7-31 found 57 percent of Americans view Obama favorably, well ahead of Trump at 34 percent. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Sept. 21 put Trump’s approval at 32 percent, the lowest of his political career, with cost of living and the war with Iran cited as drags. An NBC News polling average published in late September showed Democrats leading the generic congressional ballot 52 percent to 43 percent among likely voters.
