Former Vice President Kamala Harris is returning to the campaign trail ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, appearing in Michigan this week to support Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Harris joined El-Sayed in Detroit on Tuesday for a roundtable focused on Black maternal health, marking one of her most visible campaign appearances of the current election cycle.
Her appearance comes as Democrats battle for control of the Senate and as Harris continues to weigh her own political future following her 2024 presidential election loss to Donald Trump.
During the Detroit event, Harris emphasized maternal health care, reproductive rights and federal health policy.
She argued that attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs can also affect maternal care, particularly for Black women.
Harris also said that roughly one in 12 women in the United States live in what she described as maternal health care deserts.
El-Sayed, meanwhile, framed the race as a choice over health care spending and broader economic priorities.
The Michigan Senate contest is viewed as important for Democrats because Sen. Gary Peters is retiring, leaving the party to defend the seat against Republican nominee Mike Rogers.
Harris has also planned campaign appearances in other states, including Georgia and Nevada, as she tries to help Democratic candidates heading into November.
But not every Democrat is eager for her help.
Kansas Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton publicly said he would not want Harris campaigning with him, arguing that her presence would hurt rather than help his race. The New York Post reported that some Democratic strategists have also questioned how effective Harris is as a surrogate in certain states.
That skepticism reflects a broader debate inside the Democratic Party over how prominently Harris should feature in the midterms.
Some Democrats still view her as a major national figure who can energize key parts of the party’s coalition, particularly Black voters and women.
Others believe candidates in more moderate or Republican-leaning states need greater distance from the former vice president.
Harris’ Michigan appearance also exposed some of the divisions surrounding El-Sayed’s candidacy.
El-Sayed has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza and has described Israeli actions there as genocide, a position that has caused concern among some Jewish Democrats in Michigan, per the New York Post.
A group of progressive Michigan rabbis urged Harris ahead of the event to press El-Sayed on issues involving Jewish safety, Israel and antisemitism.
Despite those tensions, El-Sayed has embraced Harris’ support.
He previously backed Harris after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race, and Harris later endorsed El-Sayed following his Democratic primary victory.
Her return to the trail is also attracting attention because of continued speculation about the 2028 presidential election.
Harris has not announced another campaign, but her appearances in battleground states are being closely watched as she considers whether to make another run for the White House.
For now, her focus is on helping Democrats in competitive races.
Whether every candidate wants that help, however, appears to depend heavily on the state and the political environment.
