Mallory McMorrow Turns In Campaign Signatures for Michigan Senate Race as Democrats Face Competitive Primary Against Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed

Michigan Senate Race Opens With All Three Democrats Submitting Maximum Number of Signatures

State Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) turned in nominating petition signatures Monday in her campaign for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. The filing marks the second Democratic campaign to submit paperwork for the August primary, joining Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) who became the first last week.

Polling has consistently shown the Democratic Senate primary race to be close between McMorrow, Stevens, and former Wayne County Health Director Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. All three campaigns say they're turning in 30,000 signatures, the maximum number allowed under Michigan election law.

Each is using that number as a measure of their support in the competitive race. McMorrow's campaign made a point Monday of saying her signatures came from an all-volunteer effort whereas many campaigns rely on paid canvassers. Another measure of early support will come out later this week when quarterly campaign finance reports are due on Wednesday.

Campaigns Position Themselves Against Large Republican Field

When asked if she considered herself a progressive Monday, McMorrow said she considers herself pragmatic. She argued most people don't identify with labels.

"This is the campaign for everybody. If you're pissed off, if you're scared, if you're angry that government hasn't worked for you, I don't care about lanes. I care about meeting you," McMorrow told reporters.

On the Republican side of the race, former Congressman Mike Rogers is the clear frontrunner in his primary. Last week, the conservative Senate Leadership Fund promised 45 million to helping his campaign through ads starting this fall.

McMorrow said the large amount of money in play means Democrats need to run as if they're up against a Republican incumbent although the seat is currently held by a Democrat, Gary Peters, who is not seeking another term.

McMorrow said her own experience flipping a state Senate seat in her first campaign makes her the best one for the job.

"I'm the only candidate in this race who has beaten a Republican incumbent to get into the office, the only candidate in this race who, for the last few cycles, has been campaigning statewide, not for myself, but to build real power, to help people," McMorrow said.

Democratic Primary Highlights Different Political Styles

Stevens is a member of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation. Meanwhile, El-Sayed supports policies like Medicare for All and has been endorsed by Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a foundational leader in American progressive politics.

McMorrow's proposed agenda has reflected a mix of both political styles, calling for universal healthcare and pledging to support small and medium-sized businesses.

The race comes at a time when Democrats have avoided competitive primary contests to pick their party's nominees for U.S. Senate for decades. That's not the case this year.

Republican Frontrunner Receives Major Donation

Last week, the conservative Senate Leadership Fund promised 45 million to helping Rogers campaign through ads starting this fall. This significant financial backing underscores the competitiveness of the race and the importance Democrats place on avoiding a Republican takeover of Michigan's U.S. Senate seat.

With Gary Peters not seeking re-election, Republicans are fielding multiple candidates hoping to win control of the seat in November. The Senate Leadership Fund's commitment to Rogers indicates they see him as the strongest candidate to unseat the Democratic hold on the Michigan Senate seat.