Michigan Democrats Gear Up to Keep Senate Seat in the Contested 2026 Race

Mackinac Island, May 28, 2026 – With Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat open as long‑time Republican Senator Gary Peters steps down, Democrats are sharpening their positions ahead of the August 4 primary that will determine the GOP nominee – Mike Rogers.

The state’s top Democratic challengers – U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and former public‑health official Abdul El‑Sayed – will trade words at the briefing conference on the island. The debate is a platform for the party to decide its future direction in the upcoming national election.

Stevens, a fourth‑term congresswoman representing the Detroit‑area district, is the moderate, establishment‑aligned candidate. She has garnered support from senators in battleground states, including Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and describes herself as a staunch pro‑Israel Democrat.

El‑Sayed, a progressive on his side, has earned early backing from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. He champions Medicare for All and higher taxes on the wealthy, and has been critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, labeling them a genocide. His campaign, however, faced internal criticism for partnering with controversial streamer Hasan Piker.

McMorrow, first elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018, occupies a middle ground, criticizing the establishment and pledging not to back Democratic leader Chuck Schumer for another Senate term.

Throughout the debate, the candidates agreed on eliminating the filibuster – a Senate procedure that traditionally requires 60 votes to advance most legislation. Although Republican leaders like Donald Trump have urged the abolition of the rule, Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted a lack of sufficient GOP support to pass such a change.

Rogers, who lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin by fewer than 20,000 votes in the 2024 election, reflects on the financial cost of past campaigns. He admits the tight outcome and uncertainty of the primary made it hard to win the general. “This is a change election. People want to talk about Washington, but this is about Michigan,” he says, as he front‑loads a nine‑figure campaign spend to reach voters.

Outside spending is expected to hit the high billions. GOP’s Senate organization earmarked $45 million for ads, compared with $20 million from Democrats. With a national focus on tariffs and gas prices that have recently hit Michigan hard, Rogers’ campaign will rely on localized messaging to counter the broader narratives address in Washington.

As Michigan’s political landscape unfolds, the party’s performance in this primary could serve as a microcosm of the national Democratic strategy and illustrate the direction the party will take into the 2026 midterms.