Former President Barack Obama rallied more than 4,300 supporters at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Oct. 24, urging Democrats to turn frustration into votes and address everyday concerns such as costs, health care and housing.

Democratic candidates focused on affordability, voting rights and accountability, with Jocelyn Benson describing families’ struggles with medical bills and basic expenses and Abdul El-Sayed addressing economic pressures and attacks on his Muslim faith and patriotism.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel highlighted policies enacted under Democratic control, while legislative leaders Ranjeev Puri and Winnie Brinks called on voters to help Democrats regain the state House and retain the state Senate.

Obama urged the crowd to vote instead of booing political opponents, arguing Democrats needed to present a vision for a better future rather than campaign only against Republicans; he closed by endorsing Benson and El-Sayed.

The rally unfolded amid heightened political tensions, with Jake Lang and other protesters outside Cass Tech and President Donald J. Trump holding a Republican rally in Port Huron the following day; Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not attend the Detroit event.

In the Nov. 3 results, Benson defeated Republican John James to become governor-elect, while El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate.

Eli Savit defeated Doug Lloyd to keep Michigan’s attorney general’s office in Democratic hands, and Garlin Gilchrist II defeated Anthony Forlini in the secretary of state race.

Christina Hines defeated Michael Bouchard Jr. in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, helping Democrats add a seat to their newly secured U.S. House majority; Democrats also regained full control of Michigan’s Legislature.

Democrats won major races and full control of Michigan’s state government, as well as control of both chambers of Congress; the results alone do not establish how much Obama’s rally influenced voters.