Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow suspended her U.S. Senate campaign on July 5, 2026, narrowing the Democratic primary to a two-way race between moderate Representative Haley Stevens and progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. McMorrow's exit followed a slide in polls and an influx of over $16 million in outside spending, largely from pro-Israel groups like AIPAC supporting Stevens. The primary winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November to succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters, a seat critical to determining control of the Senate.
McMorrow campaign suspension
- ▪Mallory McMorrow did not immediately endorse either of her primary rivals but pledged full support to the eventual Democratic nominee
- ▪Mallory McMorrow's name will remain on the Michigan primary ballot because her campaign suspension occurred after absentee ballots had already been mailed
- ▪Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign for the Democratic nomination for the state's open U.S. Senate seat on July 5, 2026
Stevens-El-Sayed primary dynamics
- ▪Michigan State Attorney General Dana Nessel endorsed Representative Haley Stevens shortly after Mallory McMorrow announced her campaign suspension
- ▪A Quantus Insights poll released in late June or early July 2026 showed Dr. Abdul El-Sayed leading the primary with 41 percent support, compared to 35.6 percent for Representative Haley Stevens and 7.5 percent for Mallory McMorrow
- ▪Representative Haley Stevens is backed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and centrist establishment figures, while Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- ▪Mallory McMorrow's campaign suspension narrows the Michigan Democratic Senate primary to a two-way race between Representative Haley Stevens and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed
Progressive movement test case
- ▪The Michigan Democratic Senate primary serves as a key test of whether a progressive candidate can win statewide in a competitive swing state that Donald Trump won in 2024
- ▪Dr. Abdul El-Sayed supports Medicare for All and has criticized Israel's conduct in Gaza, while Representative Haley Stevens is a self-described pro-Israel Democrat backed by AIPAC
- ▪Mallory McMorrow's campaign struggled to maintain a middle lane after facing criticism from progressive Democrats over her past policy paper submission to AIPAC and her husband's previous internship at the organization
Outside spending influence
- ▪A senior campaign official and outside sources indicated that Mallory McMorrow's campaign was heavily impacted by millions of dollars in outside spending boosting Representative Haley Stevens
- ▪Super PACs, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), have spent over $16 million—with some estimates citing up to $32 million in total outside spending—supporting Representative Haley Stevens
Michigan Senate general election stakes
- ▪The winner of the August 4, 2026, Democratic primary will face Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the November general election
- ▪The Michigan Senate seat is currently held by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, and protecting it is considered crucial for Democrats to have a path toward winning a Senate majority
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