Rising star Michigan Dem critical of Schumer leadership launches 2026 Senate bid
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow has announced her bid for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. McMorrow, who has garnered national attention in recent years, emphasized in her announcement video that the nation needs new leaders to address the challenges facing the country.
McMorrow, a 38-year-old outsider, highlighted the need for a new generation of leaders in Washington, criticizing the current state of affairs and calling for change. She made it clear that she believes the \”same old crap out of Washington\” is not the solution to the nation’s problems.
In her announcement, McMorrow did not shy away from addressing the need for authenticity within the Democratic Party. She emphasized the importance of genuine leadership to regain popularity among voters and bring about meaningful change.
While McMorrow did not mention Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in her announcement, she has previously expressed her lack of support for him to continue as the party’s leader in the chamber. Schumer faced backlash from within his own party for his support of a government funding bill backed by President Donald Trump.
McMorrow’s national profile was boosted in 2022 when she delivered a viral speech in the Michigan Senate, pushing back against a Republican lawmaker who accused her of \”grooming\” children. She further solidified her reputation among Democrats with a speech at the Democratic National Convention last summer, where she criticized the GOP and their conservative blueprint.
Moving from the Michigan state Senate to the U.S. Senate is a rare transition, but McMorrow’s high national profile and broad donor network put her in a strong position. However, she may face competition for the Democratic Senate nomination from Reps. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Haley Stevens, as well as Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
On the Republican side, former Rep. Mike Rogers is strongly considering a run for the GOP Senate nomination. Rogers narrowly lost to Rep. Elissa Slotkin in last November’s election for the seat of retired Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Rogers, a former FBI special agent and chair of the House Intelligence Committee, is seen as a top contender for the Republican nomination.
In the upcoming 2026 midterms, Senate Republicans view the Democratic-held seat in Michigan as a key pick-up opportunity as they aim to increase their majority in the chamber. The race for the Senate seat in Michigan is shaping up to be a high-profile, expensive, and bruising showdown, with McMorrow and Rogers emerging as strong contenders in their respective parties.
