State Senator Mallory McMorrow, a rising Democratic star, formally entered Michigan’s 2026 Senate race Wednesday, positioning herself as a new-generation leader to counter Trumpism in a must-win battleground.
The 38-year-old lawmaker catapulted to national prominence by her viral 2022 speech defending LGBTQ+ rights — becomes the first major Democrat vying for retiring Senator Gary Peters’ seat. The contest could determine control of the narrowly divided Senate.
“We need urgent leadership, not gimmicks,” McMorrow told AP, taking veiled swipes at her party’s establishment. She criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s compromise on GOP spending bills and vowed to reconnect with Trump voters in a state the former president carried twice.
The race is already shaping up as a financial juggernaut, with Republicans eyeing gains. Former GOP Congressman Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost Michigan’s 2024 Senate race, is expected to run again. Democrats face a crowded primary, with U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Attorney General Dana Nessel also weighing bids.
McMorrow’s announcement underscores Democrats’ scramble to refresh their messaging ahead of 2026’s midterms. Her progressive credentials and viral appeal could energize the base, but she’ll need to court moderates in a state that’s rejected Biden-era policies.
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