McMorrow Exits Michigan Senate Race, Leaving Dems in Turmoil [WATCH]

Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow announced Sunday that she is suspending her campaign for the U.S. Senate, reshaping the Democratic primary just weeks before voters head to the polls in the battleground state’s Aug. 4 primary election, as reported by Fox News.

McMorrow’s departure effectively turns the Democratic contest into a two-candidate race between U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and former Wayne County Health Department Director Abdul El-Sayed.

Although McMorrow has ended her campaign, her name will remain on the ballot because absentee ballots have already been printed and distributed, according to Bridge Michigan.

Not an exaggeration to say McMorrow cringed herself out of the race with this. pic.twitter.com/iOWcG9jSFL

— Matt Whitlock (@MattWhitlock) July 5, 2026

The Democratic nominee will advance to the Nov. 3 general election to face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is widely expected to secure the GOP nomination.

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The winner will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.

Republicans view the Michigan seat as one of their top pickup opportunities, while Democrats consider it critical to any effort to reclaim the Senate majority.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage in the chamber, and leading nonpartisan political handicappers continue to rate the Michigan contest as a toss-up.

In a video posted on X announcing her decision, McMorrow did not identify a specific reason for suspending her campaign.

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She instead thanked supporters and campaign staff for building a campaign that relied on grassroots fundraising and rejected corporate PAC contributions.

McMorrow entered the race as a progressive candidate positioned between the more moderate Stevens and the further-left El-Sayed.

Her campaign, however, struggled to keep pace with both rivals in polling and fundraising during the final stretch of the primary.

Despite ending her campaign, McMorrow urged Democrats to unite behind the eventual nominee in the general election against Rogers.

“So here’s what we do next. Every day through November 3rd. We win this Senate seat and send Mike Rogers back to Florida for good,” she said. “Whoever wins this primary on August 4th will have my full support.”

Stevens responded by praising McMorrow’s role in Michigan politics while emphasizing her own campaign’s path forward.

She described McMorrow as an “important voice” for policies benefiting Michigan families before arguing she is best positioned to defeat Rogers in November.

“As we enter the final month of the primary election, I’m excited to continue to make my case to Michiganders why I’m the strongest Democrat to defeat Mike Rogers this November, lower costs, protect manufacturing jobs, and stand up to Trump’s abuses of power,” Stevens said.

Today, I’m announcing that I am suspending my campaign for United States Senate.

And I’m doing it with a deep, deep sense of gratitude. For our thousands of volunteers, for everyone who donated what you could — building a campaign with zero corporate PAC dollars. For my staff,… pic.twitter.com/nGVymlpPXm— Mallory McMorrow (@MalloryMcMorrow) July 5, 2026

Stevens’ campaign has received millions of dollars in support from super PACs, including substantial spending from Israel-aligned organizations.

El-Sayed also responded to McMorrow’s announcement, praising her willingness to challenge what he described as the Democratic Party establishment.

“Throughout this campaign, Senator McMorrow showed what it looks like to fight back against politics that rig the system against too many of us. While we have policy disagreements, I never questioned whether Senator McMorrow would fight for a better America for my daughters and hers,” he said.

He also criticized Democratic Party insiders for their role in the primary campaign.

“The same party insiders she had the courage to challenge have been bullying anyone who opposes their chosen candidate. After spending $30 million to drown Senator McMorrow and me out, they’re now spending even more to attack me. It’s everything we are standing up against.”

El-Sayed then appealed directly to McMorrow’s supporters.

“I welcome her supporters to our movement to stand up against money in politics, to put money back in pockets, and pass Medicare for All. We cannot allow the establishment to decide our nominee for us.”

An epidemiologist, El-Sayed previously mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Michigan governor in 2018 and later served as a senior surrogate during Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.

He has centered his Senate campaign on support for Medicare for All, has pledged not to accept PAC donations, supports abolishing ICE, and has sharply criticized Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” against Palestinians.

If elected, El-Sayed would become the nation’s first Muslim senator.

His campaign has drawn endorsements from Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while Stevens has earned the backing of Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and much of the party establishment.

Some Democratic leaders have expressed concern that El-Sayed’s progressive positions could make it more difficult for the party to hold the seat in a state that President Donald Trump carried by just over one percentage point in the 2024 election.

Republicans quickly seized on McMorrow’s withdrawal as evidence of growing divisions within the Democratic Party.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee argued that the remaining primary highlights an ideological struggle between Democratic leaders and the party’s progressive wing.

“Bernie Sanders’ radical socialist flank is completely taking over the Democrat Party. It is now up to Chuck Schumer to combat Abdul El-Sayed’s clear momentum and get Haley Stevens over the finish line in their messy primary,” NRSC Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell said in a statement.

Michigan GOP Senior Communications Adviser Greg Manz also weighed in on the changing race.

“Michigan’s Senate Democrat primary has shifted from a three-car pileup to a head-on collision,” Manz said.

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