Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow Suspends Senate Campaign One Month Before Primary

Jul 5, 2026

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.