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McMorrow exits Michigan race
Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign for the U.S. Senate on Sunday, abruptly reshaping the party primary with about a month before the election and leaving a two-person contest between moderate Haley Stevens and progressive Abdul El-Sayed.
““Today, I’m announcing that I am suspending my campaign for United States Senate,””
McMorrow made the announcement in a statement and video posted online Sunday, writing, “Today, I’m announcing that I am suspending my campaign for United States Senate,” and adding, “And I’m doing it with a deep, deep sense of gratitude,”.
The seat is open because Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is not seeking re-election, and the primary winner is expected to face Republican Mike Rogers, who lost to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024.
The AP reported that a televised debate between Stevens and El-Sayed is set for Tuesday, after a May debate in which El-Sayed repeatedly went on the offensive against Stevens, who mostly declined to engage directly.
The Independent reported that McMorrow released a video message indicating that “Whoever wins this primary on August 4th will have my full support,” as the field narrowed to two candidates for the Aug. 4 Democratic primary.
Reactions split the party
El-Sayed appealed to McMorrow supporters to join “our movement” and accused “party insiders” of “bullying anyone who opposes their chosen candidate,” while also posting on X, “We cannot allow the establishment to decide our nominee for us.”
Stevens responded by describing herself as “the strongest Democrat to defeat Mike Rogers this November” and said in a statement that she looked forward to working with McMorrow “to build a stronger Michigan for everyone.”
NBC News reported that McMorrow said, “I may be suspending this campaign, but I am not leaving the fight,” while also setting up a two-way clash between the party’s center and its progressive left flank.
The Detroit News reported that Attorney General Dana Nessel endorsed Stevens after McMorrow announced she was suspending her campaign, writing on Facebook that “Representative Haley Stevens is a seasoned fighter for Michigan.”
The Independent added that McMorrow’s exit came as Democrats increasingly viewed her as a long shot for the nomination, and it said her rivals released statements thanking her for running a hard-fought campaign for the seat.
What’s at stake next
The AP said the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is one the party must hold if it hopes to reclaim the Senate majority in this fall’s midterm elections, with the primary winner expected to face Republican Mike Rogers.
“Republicans currently have a majority in the Senate, with 53 members.”
CBS News reported that Republicans currently have a majority in the Senate, with 53 members, while Democrats are hoping to win control of the chamber this fall by flipping four seats and defending seats in a handful of other races.
The Detroit News said McMorrow’s name will remain on ballots for the Aug. 4 primary since the ballots have already been printed and distributed to regular absentee voters, and it said Michigan Democrats will closely watch whether she endorses either Stevens or El-Sayed in the future.
CNN reported that McMorrow did not endorse either of the remaining candidates, Rep. Haley Stevens or former public health official Abdul El-Sayed, and it said the contest is a crucial choice next month in picking a nominee to defend a must-win seat.
In the Independent’s account, McMorrow’s video also seemed to indicate no endorsement before the primary’s conclusion, as she said, “Whoever wins this primary on August 4th will have my full support,” leaving the two remaining candidates to compete directly.