3 Michigan Democrats vie for Senate seat on affordability platform

Reps. Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow, and physician Abdul El-Sayed, offer different visions to tackle cost-of-living concerns in battleground state

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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As Donald Trump returned to the White House in 2024, he capitalized on economic discontent in political battlegrounds like Michigan. Now, three Democratic candidates - U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and physician Abdul El-Sayed - are running in the Michigan Senate primary, each making different pitches to voters on how to address the rising cost of living.

Why it matters

Michigan is a crucial battleground state, and the Democratic candidate who wins the Senate primary will play a key role in determining the party's chances of retaining control of the Senate in the November midterm elections. The winner will also need to appeal to the same economic concerns that helped propel Trump's return to the White House.

The details

Stevens is campaigning against Trump's tariff strategy, saying it has hurt the state's manufacturing sector and driven up prices. McMorrow is focusing on expanding a state program that provides cash grants to new mothers, while El-Sayed is blaming corporate greed and lobbying power for high healthcare costs. All three candidates are trying to position themselves as the best option to address affordability issues that have lingered since Trump's 2024 victory.

  • The Michigan Senate primary is scheduled for August 2026.
  • The November 2026 midterm elections will determine control of Congress.

The players

Haley Stevens

U.S. Representative from Michigan's 11th congressional district, which includes part of the Detroit metropolitan area.

Mallory McMorrow

State Senator in the Michigan legislature and member of the Democratic leadership.

Abdul El-Sayed

Physician and former county health official who previously ran for Michigan governor in 2018.

Mike Rogers

Former U.S. Congressman and the likely Republican nominee for the Michigan Senate seat.

Elissa Slotkin

Democratic U.S. Senator from Michigan who won the seat in 2024 after previously serving in the House of Representatives.

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What they’re saying

“He's been more focused on cutting deals all over the world than cutting deals here in Michigan, and now we have job insecurity and in some cases job loss.”

— Haley Stevens, U.S. Representative (ksgf.com)

“When something's working, you expand on it. I think there's a huge opportunity where Michigan has done a lot of things right that we can ensure every American benefits from.”

— Mallory McMorrow, State Senator (ksgf.com)

“In an era where union membership is near an all-time low and in an era where inequality is near an all-time high, we have to recognize that these two things are not a coincidence, they are one in the same problem.”

— Abdul El-Sayed, Physician (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The Michigan Senate primary election is scheduled for August 2026, and the winner will face off against the likely Republican nominee, former Congressman Mike Rogers, in the November 2026 midterm elections.

The takeaway

The battle for the Michigan Senate seat highlights the Democratic party's efforts to harness voter discontent over the rising cost of living, an issue that helped propel Donald Trump's return to the White House in 2024. The primary contest between Stevens, McMorrow, and El-Sayed will test different visions for addressing affordability concerns in this crucial battleground state.