dpUpdated July 5, 2026, 2:07 p.m. ET
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow dropped out of Michigan’s competitive U.S. Senate race Sunday afternoon.
She informed multiple supporters of her decision earlier on Sunday, according to two sources with knowledge of the development who were not authorized to speak publicly about it.
McMorrow’s departure makes it a two-way race in the Democratic primary between U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and former Wayne County health chief Abdul El-Sayed.
McMorrow, a Royal Oak Democrat, didn’t immediately respond to a text message on Sunday afternoon seeking comment, but released a video and a statement after The News reported her decision.
“Today, I’m announcing that I am suspending my campaign for United States Senate,” she said. “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, who built this team up from nothing. I thank you.”
Stevens released a statement shortly after the news broke: “Anyone who raises their hand to serve the people of Michigan and puts forward thoughtful ideas for how they would lead earns my respect Mallory McMorrow has been an important voice, both in this race and in the State Senate, for policies that benefit Michigan’s children and families, and I look forward to working with her in the future to build a stronger Michigan for everyone.”
The news of the primary field narrowing comes two days before the Democratic Senate hopefuls were set to debate on WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids in a statewide televised debate.
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.
Michigan Democrats will closely watch whether she endorses either Stevens or El-Sayed. Her support could be seen as pivotal in the hotly contested race, which had become a two-way battle at the top between Stevens and El-Sayed in recent weeks.
The winner of the August primary will likely face Republican Mike Rogers in the November general election in what’s expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country.
This is a developing story. Check detroitnews.com later for updates.
