Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow said Sunday that she is suspending her campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, narrowing the race ahead of the Aug. 4 primary to U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed. McMorrow did not endorse either remaining contender.
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow said Sunday that she is suspending her campaign for U.S. Senate in Michigan, a late shakeup in the Democratic primary for an open seat.
In a video posted on X, McMorrow said:
“Today, I’m announcing that I am suspending my campaign for United States Senate. I’m doing it with a deep, deep sense of gratitude.”
McMorrow said she will support the eventual Democratic nominee in the general election, but she did not back either of the remaining contenders: U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed.
McMorrow’s exit leaves Stevens — a four-term member of Congress — and El-Sayed, a progressive former public health official, as the primary’s leading candidates. The Democratic primary is scheduled for Aug. 4.
The contest has drawn high-profile endorsements on both sides. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has backed Stevens, while Sen. Bernie Sanders has endorsed El-Sayed. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also endorsed El-Sayed in early July.
After McMorrow’s announcement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel endorsed Stevens.
In a post on X, El-Sayed framed McMorrow’s departure as a sign of establishment sway in the race, writing that, “We cannot allow the establishment to decide our nominee for us.” Stevens, in a statement, called McMorrow “an important voice” and argued she is well-positioned to win the general election.
The Democratic nominee is expected to face Republican Mike Rogers in November. Rogers was the GOP nominee in Michigan’s 2024 Senate race and narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. Democrats and Republicans both view the 2026 Michigan contest as a major battleground in the fight for control of the U.S. Senate.
