Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed said he had spoken with former President Barack Obama after winning the state’s primary, describing their call as warm and encouraging. The contact could help El-Sayed unite Democrats following a divisive contest as he prepares for a nationally important November Senate race.

El-Sayed said the conversation took place on Friday and that Obama offered advice on winning in Michigan. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, he said he hoped Obama would campaign for him, noting that the former president carried the state in the 2008 and 2012 elections; El-Sayed defeated establishment-backed Representative Haley Stevens in the primary.