BATTLE ROYALE

On the Democratic side of the tracks, it is unlikely there will be a party anointment for this Senatorial primary, unlike when the Dems rapidly coalesced behind Elissa Slotkin. State Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Huntington Woods, Oak Park) announced her candidacy in early April following the launch of her book, Hate Won’t Win. McMorrow has been a national progressive darling (she calls herself a “pragmatist”) since her 2022 speech in response to former state Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton), accusing her of being a child predator, went viral for countering that “I am a straight, white, Christian, married, suburban mom who knows that the very notion that learning about slavery or redlining or systemic racism somehow means that children are being taught to feel bad or hate themselves because they are white is absolute nonsense.” In her campaign launch, she said doing the same old thing in Washington will not produce different results. “The same people who got us into this mess are not going to be the ones to get us out of it… “We need a real partner in the Senate seat who understands how things work in the states and is going to move us forward in a way that Michigan is no longer taking scraps.” McMorrow raised $1 million in the first 24 hours – and one prominent Dem couple, Erica Peresman and David Jaffe, immediately announced their support. “We are confident that Mallory’s positions and her skill at communicating them are right for the country, for Michigan, and for this political moment.” Rumored to be competing against McMorrow in the Democratic primary in 2026 is Congresswoman Haley Stevens of Birmingham, whose district represents most of Oakland County. Word is she it taking her time to figure out if running for the Senate is the right decision for her, or if staying in the House, where she holds leadership positions – and would potentially grow in leadership – would be the right move. “Her story is the story of Michigan – the story of resilience, having parents who had small businesses, working for the auto industry rescue, for manufacturing,” said a colleague, noting it would play well with Michiganders against Republican Mike Rogers. As for McMorrow? She’s allegedly not a factor in Stevens’ decision making. Acknowledging McMorrow’s regular recent appearances on MSNBC, an insider said Stevens “has got more substance than punditry, which plays well with the people of Michigan.”

Mallory McMorrow

Haley Stevens