Michigan lawmaker Mallory McMorrow announces Democratic bid for U.S. Senate

The Associated Press

· Posted: Apr 02, 2025 8:18 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 minutes ago

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a rising prima successful the Democratic Party, announced her bid Wednesday for Michigan's unfastened U.S. Senate seat, becoming the archetypal well-known campaigner to officially participate the contention for what volition undoubtedly beryllium 1 of 2026's astir competitory and costly contests.

McMorrow, 38, has distanced herself from nationalist Democrats successful a battleground authorities Trump won, saying a caller procreation of leaders is needed to artifact President Donald Trump's overhaul of the national authorities and present a compelling connection to triumph backmost Trump voters.

"I person been truthful frustrated seeing truly a deficiency of a program and a deficiency of a effect coming from our existent enactment leadership," the Democrat said successful an interrogation with The Associated Press.

She said voters are bushed of Democrats' "gimmicks" and was captious of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who reluctantly voted successful favour of Republicans' spending measure past month.

"It's truthful lacking the urgency of this moment," said McMorrow, a second-term authorities lawmaker who got a speaking relation astatine past year's Democratic National Convention.

Democrats are hopeless to clasp onto the Michigan spot adjacent year, portion Republicans spot an opportunity to grow their 53-47 bulk successful the Senate.

McMorrow rapidly emerged arsenic a imaginable contender for Democrats aft Gary Peters announced successful January that helium would not question reelection. 

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is besides considering a tally for the Democratic summons and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has not ruled it retired either. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg precocious said helium was nary longer exploring a bid for the Senate seat, arsenic did Democratic U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a Democrat, announced helium is moving for politician successful 2026, arsenic second-term Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. 

On the Republican side, erstwhile U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly mislaid to Democrat Elissa Slotkin successful the state's 2024 Senate race, is expected to tally again.

First elected to the authorities legislature successful 2018, McMorrow went viral successful 2022 aft giving a fiery level code criticizing a Republican lawmaker who attacked her successful a run fundraising email implicit her enactment for 2SLGBTQ+ rights and falsely accused her of wanting to "groom" children.

"I americium a straight, white, Christian, married, suburban mom" who wants "every kid to consciousness seen, heard and supported - not marginalized and targeted due to the fact that they are not straight, achromatic and Christian," McMorrow said successful the speech. 

The lawmaker, who represents a Detroit suburban country and serves successful caucus leadership, has sponsored Democratic authorities connected weapon power and reproductive rights.