State Senator Mallory McMorrow, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, has officially entered the race for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, marking the beginning of what is expected to be one of the most competitive and costly contests in 2026.
At 38, McMorrow has positioned herself as a fresh voice, distancing from national Democratic strategies and emphasizing the need for new leadership to counter former President Donald Trump’s influence and to reconnect with Trump voters.
“I’ve been frustrated by the lack of clear plans and responses from our current party leadership,” McMorrow shared in an interview. She criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for supporting a Republican spending bill, claiming it lacked the urgency required in today’s political climate.
Democrats are keen to retain the Michigan seat, while Republicans aim to strengthen their Senate majority. McMorrow emerged as a leading candidate following Senator Gary Peters’ announcement in January that he would not seek reelection. Other potential Democratic contenders include U.S. Representative Haley Stevens and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has not ruled out a run.
On the Republican side, former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in the 2024 Senate race, is expected to launch another campaign.
McMorrow, elected to the state legislature in 2018, gained national attention in 2022 with a passionate speech criticizing a Republican lawmaker’s attack on her support for LGBTQ+ rights. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating, “I am a straight, white, Christian, married, suburban mom who wants every kid to feel seen, heard, and supported—not marginalized and targeted because they are not straight, white, and Christian.”
As a lawmaker representing a Detroit suburb, McMorrow has championed Democratic causes such as gun control and reproductive rights, positioning herself as a strong contender for the upcoming Senate race.
