A prominent Democratic candidate for Michigan’s open Senate seat has decided not to run, narrowing the field for a contest that has Democrats increasingly concerned about their ability to retain the seat in next year’s election.
Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, a freshman Democrat who won a competitive battleground seat in 2022, announced she would stay in the House, leaving some Democrats anxious about the party’s chances of securing a strong contender to face off against a Republican opponent who nearly won the seat in the previous election.
McDonald Rivet had been seriously considering a Senate run and met with Senate leadership earlier this month. She had been encouraged by influential figures, including former Sen. Debbie Stabenow, to run, especially after Pete Buttigieg, another potential candidate, declined to enter the race. Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also reached out to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, though she repeatedly declined to run, according to sources close to her.
In a statement, McDonald Rivet explained her decision, saying, “In this moment, each of us should put ourselves in the position that allows us to do the most good. So I am excited to run for re-election in our highly competitive district, help win back the House, and move an agenda that uplifts the working people in our communities.”
The race for Michigan’s Senate seat is crucial for Democrats as they prepare for the 2026 midterms. With several key retirements, including that of Sen. Gary Peters in Michigan, the party faces an uphill battle to regain control of the Senate. Michigan has become a swing state, having backed Trump in two of the last three presidential elections. Former Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin, is considered one of the leading Republican candidates for the seat, with Trump ally Chris LaCivita working closely on his campaign.
As the race continues to take shape, several candidates are expected to compete in the Democratic primary, but no clear frontrunner has emerged. Among the expected contenders is Rep. Haley Stevens, who plans to announce her candidacy soon. Stevens has already met with Schumer and has a strong fundraising network, aided by her allyship with organizations like AIPAC, which is reportedly planning to spend heavily on her behalf.
Other potential candidates include former Detroit Health Director Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive who previously ran for governor, and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who has already entered the race. McMorrow stirred controversy by publicly vowing not to support Schumer as Senate leader if she wins. Additionally, Joe Tate, a former Michigan House speaker and NFL player, is also expected to run.
Despite the growing field, national Democratic figures have signaled they will refrain from intervening in the primary. However, Stevens’ campaign has hired Christie Roberts, a top Democratic strategist, suggesting she may receive significant backing from party operatives.
Sen. Gary Peters, who is vacating the Senate seat, has pledged to be actively involved in the race but has stated he will not endorse any candidate in the primary. He emphasized the strength of Michigan’s young Democratic leadership, expressing confidence that the anti-Trump sentiment could help propel the party to victory in Michigan and other critical states in 2026.
“I want to be absolutely sure that we hold a seat in Democratic hands,” Peters said, adding that he believed 2026 could be a strong year for the party in Michigan.
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