Detroit Black Voters Split on Obama’s El-Sayed Endorsement as Poll Shows 77% Black Support
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 16
Detroit Black Voters Split on Obama’s El-Sayed Endorsement as Poll Shows 77% Black Support
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 16
Summary
More than a dozen Black voters interviewed in Detroit gave Barack Obama’s endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed a mixed reception, with several undecided voters saying it did not move them toward the Democratic Senate nominee.
Roughly half said Obama’s backing improved their view of El-Sayed, but those voters were already planning to support him; some backers and undecided voters alike said they preferred to judge El-Sayed on his record.
El-Sayed’s past criticism of Obama added to the skepticism for some voters as the two prepare to campaign together, though others said political reversals are common and saw the alliance as evidence their goals now align.
The split matters in a toss-up Michigan Senate race, where Republican Mike Rogers is targeting disaffected Democrats and a late-September Fox News poll found El-Sayed at 77% support among African American voters—below typical Democratic levels.
Detroit organizers backing El-Sayed argued Obama’s endorsement is a useful boost rather than a cure-all, saying Black voters are doing their own research as both parties fight for every edge in November.