Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, said he recently spoke with former President Barack Obama and hopes Obama will campaign with him.

El-Sayed is seeking to unite Democrats after a divisive primary that highlighted tensions between the party’s progressive and moderate factions.

He narrowly defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens and now faces Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the November election.

El-Sayed acknowledged the primary divisions but said Democrats have far more in common than what separates them, CBS News has reported.

With Michigan considered crucial to the Senate battle, El-Sayed hopes Obama’s experience winning the state will help Democrats rally voters and regain control of the Senate.