First lady stumps for Democrats in Michigan, Iowa

First lady Michelle Obama stands with Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer, left, and Senate candidate, Rep. Gary Peters during a campaign rally for them in Detroit, Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. Michelle Obama came to heavily Democratic Detroit Friday afternoon to rally support for Peters, a suburban Detroit congressman hoping to succeed retiring Democrat Sen. Carl Levin after 36 years in office. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) First lady Michelle Obama stands with Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer, left, and Senate candidate, Rep. Gary Peters during a campaign rally for them in Detroit, Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. Michelle Obama came to heavily Democratic Detroit Friday afternoon to rally support for Peters, a suburban Detroit congressman hoping to succeed retiring Democrat Sen. Carl Levin after 36 years in office. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

By Associated Press October 10, 2014 3 min read

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Democratic candidates in Iowa and Michigan for hotly-contested open U.S. Senate seats got a charisma boost Friday from the White House.

Not from the commander in chief, but his more popular wife.

Michelle Obama campaigned in Des Moines for Rep. Bruce Braley, who critics say is losing the personality war to Republican Joni Ernst, a likable state Senator who has touted her farm upbringing and military background.

Earlier in the day, the first lady stopped in heavily Democratic Detroit to support Rep. Gary Peters, who is leading in the polls for an open Michigan seat against Republican Terri Lynn Land.

Before a crowd of about 1,200 at Drake University, Obama urged supporters to vote early in the Iowa race that is one of the closest in the nation and is viewed as crucial if Democrats hopes to stave off a Republican drive for a six-seat gain to take a Senate majority.