Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed said on Saturday that political leaders need to acknowledge and address "unpaid debts" owed to Black communities, made during a discussion of how to re-engage Democratic voters who did not back him in the primary. El-Sayed, who faces Republican Mike Rogers in a closely watched Senate contest, made the comments at a Detroit meeting with women faith leaders organised by the Woman Difference Collaborative. The remarks reflect his broader campaign pitch around racial and health equity as he seeks to consolidate support ahead of the election.

Speaking at the event, El-Sayed said there were debts to Black communities "that have long since come due" which leaders were "unwilling to acknowledge, let alone pay down," and called for leaders to understand and address them. He pointed to his record as Wayne County health director tackling infant and maternal mortality, asthma and lead exposure, and called for greater access to capital for small businesses and increased investment in housing and schools. The event, covered by C-SPAN, also touched on his public health record, US aid to Israel, his 2024 endorsement of Kamala Harris, campaign attack ads from Rogers, and criminal justice issues; his campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.