State Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her U.S. Senate campaign Sunday afternoon, tightening Michigan’s Democratic primary into a contest between U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and former Wayne County health chief Abdul El-Sayed.
Sunday afternoon, State Sen. Mallory McMorrow stepped away from Michigan’s competitive U.S. Senate race. She told multiple supporters earlier in the day, according to two sources with knowledge of the decision who were not authorized to speak publicly about it.
McMorrow, a Royal Oak Democrat, did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment on Sunday afternoon. But she did release 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,” McMorrow 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.”.
Her departure reshapes the Democratic primary field into a two-way race between U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and former Wayne County health chief Abdul El-Sayed.
Stevens moved quickly after the news broke. releasing a statement that said: “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 timing lands hard on a campaign schedule already tight. The narrowing of the primary 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 still appear on ballots for the Aug. 4 primary because ballots had already been printed and distributed to regular absentee voters. Michigan Democrats are now watching a separate question: whether she endorses Stevens or El-Sayed. and whether her support could tip a race that has been hotly contested.
In recent weeks, the contest had narrowed at the top into a two-way battle between Stevens and El-Sayed. With McMorrow out. the winner of the August primary will likely face Republican Mike Rogers in the November general election. a matchup expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country.
This is a developing story.
Mallory McMorrow Michigan U.S. Senate race Haley Stevens Abdul El-Sayed Democratic primary Mike Rogers Aug. 4 primary WOOD-TV debate