Michelle Obama is heading to the heartland Friday to lend Iowa Democrats a helping hand in one of the closest U.S. Senate races in the country. Earlier in the day, the first lady will visit Michigan, home to another key Senate contest.

Notably missing from the travel arrangements so far: her husband, Barack Obama.

Iowa’s Senate race pits U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a lawyer and four-term Democratic congressman, against state Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican who served in the Iraq War.

“While we wish President Obama would come to Iowa, the first lady’s visit is another reminder that Congressman Braley has consistently supported Barack Obama’s agenda of higher taxes and more spending,” state Republican Party spokesman Jahan Wilcox said.

Braley and Ernst are vying for the open seat to be left by retiring incumbent Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat.

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A fly-in by FLOTUS is a contentious development in Iowa, since an Ernst win would help tip the balance of power in the Senate toward Republicans, who need to pick up six seats to reclaim the majority.

“Make no mistake,” Wilcox told The Daily Signal. “A vote for Congressman Braley is a vote for Barack Obama and his failed agenda.”

Braley’s campaign has not responded to The Daily Signal’s request for comment.

In Michigan, U.S. Rep Gary Peters, a Democrat, faces Terri Lynn Land, a Republican, for another open Senate seat.

The White House said this afternoon that the first lady would appear Friday at an event at Detroit Music Hall at an undisclosed time, before traveling on to Iowa, the Associated Press reported.  Michigan’s Democratic Party announced late last month that a visit was in the offing.

The Des Moines Register first reported that the first lady would travel to Iowa to campaign for Braley.

Campaign stops by either Obama have been considered “scarce” so far this election season, with many fellow Democrats preferring to distance themselves from the president and his low poll numbers.

As one Democratic strategist in a state with a close Senate race told the New York Times about Michelle Obama: “She’s awesome, but it just brings in the name Obama.”

Braley and Peters, however, clearly are among those willing to welcome Michelle Obama and her endorsement with open arms.

  • Ken McIntyre, news director of The Daily Signal, contributed to this report, which has been updated to include the scheduling of the Michigan trip.