FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2026
Media Contact: Kimmon Williams, [email protected], 571.451.6307
UNITE HERE is Mobilizing Black Voters in Michigan—and They’re Excited about Abdul El-Sayed
As pundits speculate about Black voters turning out for El-Sayed, UNITE HERE members have knocked on more than 100,000 doors in Detroit where Black voters are aligned with the candidate on the key issues of affordable healthcare and cost-of-living
Detroit–UNITE HERE members, who are talking to Black voters on the doors every day in Detroit, are seeing real enthusiasm for Abdul El-Sayed and his platform, contrary to speculation from political pundits. For workers who’ve lived in Detroit all their lives, that doesn’t come as a surprise: El-Sayed is focused on fixing the rigged economy that’s left their friends and neighbors struggling.
“Black people know midterms are coming. They just don’t blindly trust there’s a politician that will actually make change and represent them. Abdul El-Sayed has proven himself as someone who will fight for Detroit on the real issues we face every day. And that’s why I’m out here. I want my people to know Abdul is a real one,” said Joshua Whitney, Barback, Hollywood Casino Greektown.
As UNITE HERE members talked to voters in Detroit, it became immediately clear how wrong the pundits have been about Abdul El-Sayed. El-Sayed’s focus on affordable healthcare and fixing the broken economy align with Black voters’ top issues. His refusal to take campaign money from utility companies, large corporations, and big Pharma wins the respect of Black voters who want to see a politician who is willing to fight back against the people who have destroyed the middle class in Michigan.
“We’re on these doors so we know exactly what people care about. Healthcare, housing, and cost of living are the top of the list. Black folks are looking for someone with solutions that will actually make their lives better. Abdul is the only candidate who has refused to take corporate money from the same people who put us in this mess. He wants to make changes and be accountable to his voters, not the donors,” said I’Ron Wilson, Houseman, Hollywood Casino Greektown.
And the pundits are misunderstanding how strong Abdul El-Sayed’s Detroit roots go. El-Sayed helped strengthen the Detroit health department as the city faced bankruptcy, then moved on to support the Wayne County health department. In these roles, he tackled public health issues like lead in Detroit schools and getting eyeglasses for Detroit students. Voters have noticed.
“Folks like to talk like Abdul El-Sayed is an outsider to Detroit, but I’ve seen him actually get his hands dirty and tackle the real issues we experience in the city. He’s had a front row seat to the issues Detroit has and has helped fix broken infrastructure and advocated for more resources for Detroit. When you get into Detroit and show us you care about what we’re dealing with, you’re a Detroiter all the way,” said Shaun Whitaker, Barber.
UNITE HERE Local 24 members are the best messengers on the doors for Abdul El-Sayed. Local 24 members are hospitality workers in hotels, casinos, and food service and face the same issues as the general electorate. With over 50 canvassers on the ground in Detroit heading into election day, UNITE HERE is confident that Abdul El-Sayed will be the next U.S. Senator from Michigan.
“The Black vote in Detroit has power. We’re confident in our ability as a majority Black hospitality workers’ union to mobilize Black voters. Abdul has proven himself as a champion for the Black community. He’s shown that he’s going to fight for those of us living paycheck-to-paycheck. With our work reaching out to voters in Detroit, I believe that he will win,” said Terrell George, President, UNITE HERE Local 24 President
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UNITE HERE Local 24 is the hotel and hospitality workers union in Michigan and Ohio, representing workers at hotels, casinos, airport food service, campus and business food service, stadiums and convention centers
