Sen. Mallory McMorrow‘s announcement of her candidacy for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat gives the race its first candidate from either party, but she may not be alone for long.
Multiple Republicans and Democrats reportedly considering jumping in the race have in recent weeks increasingly shown signs of their intentions regarding what is expected to be an expensive and highly competitive race.
McMorrow announced her campaign early Wednesday morning with a campaign video touting her beginnings in politics, accomplishments while in office and declaring a need for new leadership in Washington, D.C.
Other potential candidates have begun to hint at possible campaigns.
Former Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of White Lake, who narrowly lost the 2024 U.S. Senate contest to now-U.S. Sen Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly), teased a possible candidacy last month with a video campaign-style ad posted to social media that ended with the words “Good news is coming” (See Gongwer Michigan Report, March 14, 2025).
Last month, 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon announced she is considering either running for U.S. Senate or for governor again (See Gongwer Michigan Report, March 18, 2025). She in a recent release also touted polling showing she was in a strong position in a hypothetical U.S. Senate contest.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham has increasingly appeared poised to throw her hat in the ring, with reports of her hiring additional staff that could be part of a future campaign team and subsequent statements that hinted at a potential run.
The most recent statement from Stevens came on Tuesday, when her congressional campaign sent out a release touting her having raised $1.1 million during the first three months of the year.
“With the retirement of a manufacturing powerhouse in the Senate, Michigan needs bold and dedicated leadership, and I look forward to making an announcement on how I can best support our state’s future soon,” Stevens said.
Also on Tuesday, The Detroit Free Press reported that Abdul El-Sayed, director and health officer for the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, is resigning effective Thursday as he weighs a potential U.S. Senate run.
“I’m resigning in consideration of exploring a Senate future,” El-Sayed told the Free Press Tuesday. “I have not made a decision yet but hope to within the next couple of weeks.”
El-Sayed ran unsuccessfully in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, finishing second behind now-Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Other Democrats still reportedly looking at running include U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet of Bay City and Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Republicans still considering the race include U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, 2022 gubernatorial candidate Kevin Rinke, state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey of Coldwater and U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga of Zeeland.
– By Nick Smith
