Michigan Senate Candidates Vie for Union Support

Democrats fight to win back working-class voters in high-profile primary race

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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In a gathering of the United Automobile Workers union, Democratic Senate candidates in Michigan are jockeying for the support of working-class voters who have increasingly aligned with Republicans in recent elections. The race features a mix of approaches, with some candidates emphasizing their labor ties and experience, while others push more progressive policies. The outcome could have major implications for the party's efforts to reconnect with this crucial voting bloc.

Why it matters

Democrats are grappling with how to win back working-class voters, many of whom have shifted to the Republican Party in recent elections. The Michigan Senate race is an important test case, as the state was a key battleground that flipped to Trump in both 2016 and 2024. The different strategies employed by the Democratic candidates offer a window into the party's internal debates over the best way to appeal to these voters.

The details

At the UAW gathering, the Democratic candidates took varying approaches. Representative Haley Stevens emphasized her labor ties and experience, while progressive candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed called for bold, left-leaning policies. State Senator Mallory McMorrow sought to position herself as a pragmatic moderate, criticizing both the rhetoric-focused El-Sayed and the corporate-aligned Stevens. The candidates are jockeying to win over a voting bloc that has become increasingly elusive for Democrats in recent elections.

  • The gathering took place on February 11, 2026.

The players

Senator Raphael Warnock

The senior pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church and a potential presidential candidate, Warnock sought to connect with working-class voters who feel left behind.

Representative Haley Stevens

A traditional pro-labor Democrat who emphasized her work for the Obama administration's auto task force and praised the 2023 auto workers' strike.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed

A progressive former public health official endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, who pushed left-leaning ideas like 'Medicare for all' and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

State Senator Mallory McMorrow

A candidate who emphasized her experience on labor issues while urging attendees not to 'settle' and working in jabs at both El-Sayed and Stevens.

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What they’re saying

“Workers are seeing that they're creating wealth for others, but it's not showing up in their paychecks. There is a growing sense in our country that our best days are behind us.”

— Senator Raphael Warnock (dnyuz.com)

“I am done with politicians telling us what we cannot have and should not fight for. When is the time going to be right?”

— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (dnyuz.com)

“We do not have to settle for somebody who prioritizes rhetoric over results, who's never held office. We don't have to settle for somebody who's too beholden to corporate interests to actually work alongside you.”

— State Senator Mallory McMorrow (dnyuz.com)

The takeaway

The Michigan Senate race highlights the Democratic Party's ongoing struggle to reconnect with working-class voters, a crucial voting bloc that has increasingly aligned with Republicans in recent elections. The different strategies employed by the candidates offer a window into the party's internal debates over the best way to appeal to these voters, with implications that could extend far beyond this one race.