Mallory McMorrow Overtakes Rivals in Michigan Senate Fundraising as Rogers Builds War Chest

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow has seized the fundraising lead in Michigan's competitive U.S. Senate race, pulling ahead of her Democratic rivals in the first quarter of 2026 while Republican Mike Rogers maintains the largest cash on hand in the field.

McMorrow raised more than $3 million in the first three months of the year, topping her Democratic competitors for the period. Former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed raised nearly $2.3 million, while U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens brought in just over $2 million.

This is absolutely huge, McMorrow said in a video posted to social media. She referenced a previous pledge to refuse corporate political action committee donations, adding We have kept that promise.

Both McMorrow and El-Sayed have pledged to refuse donations from corporate political action committees throughout their campaigns. However, federal data shows that McMorrow has received more than $34,000 from corporate PACs for her U.S. Senate campaign.

McMorrow paced the field in small-dollar donations, defined as contributions of less than $200, with a total of $1.64 million, or 55 percent, raised in small donations. El-Sayed trailed with $596,000, representing 26 percent of his fundraising in the quarter, while Stevens reported $270,000, or 15 percent.

The Democratic candidates are competing to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive race. The eventual nominee will face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is backed by President Donald Trump, in what could become a pivotal Senate contest.

The future of our state and country are riding on this race, and we are fighting every day to earn working families support, Alyssa Brouillet, a campaign spokesperson for Rogers, said in a statement.

Rogers, who reported raising $2.24 million for his principal campaign account, ended the first quarter with $4.2 million in the bank, leading the field by a slim margin. It represents an improvement over his first attempt at a Senate seat, when he was outraised by then-U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin by more than $6 million at this point in the race.

The Great Lakes Conservatives Fund, a super PAC supporting Rogers, reported more than $400,000 in receipts during the first quarter, with $6.2 million on hand. Its largest contribution was $250,000 from automotive magnate Roger Penske, CEO of the Penske Group.

Senate Republicans invested earlier than usual in the race, committing $45 million to help Rogers. The Sentinel Action Fund said it would invest $15 million in the seat alongside allied group Right Vote.

McMorrow trailed Rogers with a slightly smaller war chest at $3.69 million at the end of the quarter. Stevens reported $3.3 million on hand, while El-Sayed reported $2.5 million. Stevens had the highest burn rate, spending 84 percent of what she raised in the quarter. El-Sayed spent 76 percent of the first quarter's fundraising, while McMorrow spent 41 percent.

McMorrow raised the most money in the first quarter of the U.S. Senate race, while Republican Mike Rogers had the most cash on hand, according to public campaign finance records.

The race remains fluid with all three Democratic candidates polling below 30 percent, with a majority of voters still undecided ahead of the August primary. Recent polling from Emerson College/Nexstar suggests a two-way tie between El-Sayed and McMorrow, with a plurality of 36 percent still undecided.

Previous polls have suggested a three-way tie between El-Sayed, McMorrow and Stevens. Stevens said in a statement she is incredibly grateful for the support she's received, adding she's focused on delivering real results, strengthening her manufacturing economy and making sure every community has a seat at the table.

McMorrow built a national fundraising presence as a state legislator after a 2022 viral floor speech in the Michigan Capitol raised her profile nationwide and in Michigan, prompting a deluge of donations from throughout the country. She recently secured an endorsement from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a leading progressive voice. Sens. Chris Murphy, Martin Heinrich and Peter Welch have also thrown their support behind the state senator.

For generations, working families have been squeezed by rising costs like housing and child care, and it's time to elect a Democrat with a backbone like Mallory, Warren said.

The competitive race underscores the intensity of Michigan's political landscape as voters head toward the August 4 primary election.