Key facts
- Mallory McMorrow has suspended her campaign for the U.S. Senate.
- Her withdrawal leaves U.S. Representative Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed as the main Democratic contenders in Michigan.
- McMorrow announced her decision via a video statement.
- Recent polls showed McMorrow in third place, with El-Sayed leading Stevens.
- McMorrow pledged to support the eventual Democratic nominee.
Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow has suspended her campaign for the U.S. Senate, altering the dynamics of the Democratic primary race in the key battleground state. Her withdrawal leaves U.S. Representative Haley Stevens, a moderate, and public health advocate Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive, as the two remaining major candidates. McMorrow announced her decision in a video posted to X, pledging her support to whoever wins the August 4 primary. Recent polls had placed McMorrow in a distant third place, with El-Sayed leading Stevens. El-Sayed welcomed McMorrow's supporters, while Stevens emphasized her strength as the Democratic candidate to defeat Republican former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers in November. The race for the seat, currently held by Senator Gary Peters, is significant for Democratic efforts to regain control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. McMorrow first gained national attention in 2022 for a speech denouncing Republican attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.