Michigan Democrats kicked off their general election campaign with a rally in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 7, bringing together the party’s statewide ticket as candidates sought to energize supporters ahead of the November election.
“Who do you want Michigan’s leaders to work for? The people or power?” said Democratic nominee for governor, Jocelyn Benson, at the rally held at Renaissance High School in Detroit.
The Democratic ticket includes Benson, Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate, Eli Savit for attorney general and Garlin Gilchrist II for secretary of state. They all spoke at the event, along with Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Detroit Mayor May Sheffield and others.
‘There is nothing more American than Abdul El-Sayed’
Throughout the rally, the Democratic Party emphasized plans to lower costs for Michigan families and protect access to health care while criticizing Republican candidates and tying them to President Donald Trump’s agenda.
“It shouldn’t matter where you grow up in these United States of America. It shouldn’t matter the color of your skin; it shouldn’t matter what you or your parents do for work — you deserve a long, healthy life in these United States,” El-Sayed told the crowd.
While the crowd cheered for every candidate, their cheers were loudest for El-Sayed, who notched a narrow victory over U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in what proved to be a bruising primary contest that ended with Tuesday’s election.
El-Sayed reminded attendees as they chanted with him that the goal is to do three things: “getting money out of politics, money in your pocket, (and) medical for all.”
“I want to keep our tax dollars here at home instead of sending them abroad to fight wars we have no business fighting,” El-Sayed said.
The Michigan Democratic Party chair, Hertel, said that Republicans are trying to launch a “whisper campaign that Abdul El-Sayed is not American.
“There is nothing more American than Abdul El-Sayed.”
Attendees echoed that sentiment, wearing “Abdul for U.S. Senate” stickers and hats. Hundreds also carried signs that read “All in for Michigan,” “Elect Democrats” and other messages.
Detroiter Andella White, 70, said she specifically attended the event to support El-Sayed, despite being in a wheelchair.
“I’ve been with him since day one, and I am very excited that he won. I’m happy that we’re here to support him,” White said.
She said she even voted for El-Sayed for governor in Michigan’s 2018 primary election.
“He looks out for us; for people, period. I’m a senior and I want to know what you’re going to do for the seniors,” White said. “I hope he gets our healthcare together. I hope he gets our social security together.”
Going in a different direction
Pat Chiarmonte, a 75-year-old from Royal Oak and member of the Royal Oak Area Democratic Club, said attending such rallies is necessary for change.
“I’m here to support going in a different direction than we’ve been going in the last 10 years,” Chiarmonte said. “I have grandchildren that are now adults, and I just feel that my generation has failed them. And I’m trying to do the best that I can to make it go in a different direction and make life better for them.”
Detroit resident Dante Ortiz, 29, said he is most excited about El-Sayed and the policies he is running on, like Medicare for all, taxing billionaires and staying out of wars in other countries.
“This is the most excited I have ever been in my life (about an election),” Ortiz said. “It feels like, for the first time ever, I have so much hope and positivity as opposed to the apathy. … People are mad seeing all of this money going to the one percent, and we’re getting peanuts.”
U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Debbie Dingell walked around the gymnasium before the event officially kicked off, taking photos and conversing with attendees.
“I want to see the Democratic base expand, and I want people to feel a sense (of being) represented,” Tlaib told the Free Press. “It’s not about identity, it’s about the values around healthcare, the values around what is happening with immigration enforcement, the values around the fact that we want to prioritize investments at home around housing, and childcare, clean water and so much more.”
“The folks that have felt rejected by the party — they’re now being welcomed back,” Tlaib added.
‘One Team Michigan’ campaign
The event also served as the launch of the Michigan Democratic Party’s coordinated campaign, “One Team Michigan.” Party leaders said the effort will focus on organizing volunteers across the state to knock on doors, making phone calls and mobilizing voters through Election Day.
Buttigieg, who moved to Michigan with his family in 2022, showed up to support the Democratic candidates, stopping to take a couple of photos with rally-goers as he entered Renaissance High School.
During his speech, he emphasized the importance of Michigan in the upcoming election and urged Democrats to use the remaining time to build a broad coalition.
“Now we have just 88 days to make sure that things go right. The stakes are high, and people from around the country, people from around the world, are watching the state of Michigan right now to see if we have the capability to put together that coalition to win,” Buttigieg said. “And we will win.”
After Tuesday’s primaries, the Republican slate is also settled: U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, for governor, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate, Doug Lloyd for attorney general and Anthony Forlini for secretary of state. The parties’ candidates go up against one another in the Nov. 3 general election.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Email her at nrahal@freepress.com.makes our lives easier.”
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Democrats unite behind Benson, El-Sayed at Detroit rally
Reporting by Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
