Quick Scoop: Who Is Running for Senate in Michigan?

As of early July 2026, Michigan’s 2026 U.S. Senate race is live and heating up, especially after a major Democratic upset: Mallory McMorrow dropped out of the primary just days ago, narrowing the Democratic field to two main contenders.

The Big Picture

Michigan is facing an open Senate seat because outgoing Democratic Senator Gary Peters announced he will not seek another term. This has turned Michigan into a must-win, high-stakes battleground for both parties in 2026, with heavy national attention on the primary and general election.

Democratic Candidates (After McMorrow’s Exit)

With McMorrow suspending her campaign on July 5, 2026, the Democratic nomination race is now effectively between:

  1. Rep. Haley Stevens (D)
    • U.S. Representative first elected in 2018
    • Known for work on economic policy, tech, and manufacturing issues
    • Seen as closer to the Democratic establishment; backed by figures like Senate leadership and traditional party donors
  1. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (D)
    • Former Wayne County health director
    • 2018 Michigan gubernatorial candidate
    • Strong progressive profile; recently endorsed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and aligned with Bernie-backed progressive circles
    • A recent poll suggested he could be the strongest Democratic candidate in a general election matchup in Michigan

Other Democrats who had runs on the field earlier but are now largely overshadowed or out of the spotlight include:

  • Joe Tate (D) – Former speaker of the Michigan House and current state representative
  • Mallory McMorrow (D) – Formerly a top contender, now out of the race
  • Am militia/other minor candidates – Various smaller campaigns may still be technically on the ballot depending on filing status, but the race is now clearly Stevens vs. El-Sayed as the main contest.

Republican Candidate

On the Republican side, the race has also consolidated around a single major candidate:

  • Mike Rogers (R)
    • Former U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 8th congressional district
    • Ran for Senate in 2024 and narrowly lost to Elissa Slotkin
    • Now running again for the open seat, with backing from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Tim Scott , chair of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm

Other potential GOP contenders (like Rep. Bill Huizenga) have opted out , leaving Rogers as the clear Republican focal point.

Why This Race Matters

  • Swing-state dynamics : Michigan is a critical swing state; flipping this seat could be pivotal for Senate control in 2026.
  • National endorsements : High-profile figures like AOC are already weighing in, signaling that this primary is being treated as a national progressive vs. establishment showdown.
  • High media attention : The race has drawn intense coverage from major outlets, reflecting both its strategic importance and the heated ideological battle within the Democratic Party.

Timeline at a Glance

  • Jan 2025 : Gary Peters announces retirement, opening the seat.
  • Apr–May 2025 : Multiple Democrats (Stevens, El-Sayed, McMorrow, Tate) and Mike Rogers announce runs.
  • July 2026 : McMorrow drops out; race narrows to Stevens vs. El-Sayed on the Democratic side, with Rogers as the leading Republican.
  • Nov 2026 : General election for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.

Bottom Line

Right now, the main runners for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat in 2026 are:

  • Democrats : Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed (after McMorrow’s exit)
  • Republicans : Mike Rogers

The Democratic primary is the most watched part of the race, while Rogers is positioning himself as the clear GOP alternative heading into the general election.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.