Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) is backing Michigan state senator Mallory McMorrow in the Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).
Murphy’s endorsement is notable because he picked a state politician over Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), who is running for the same Senate seat this year.
“Right now we need fighters in the U.S. Senate,” Murphy said. “Fighters that are willing to take on Donald Trump and his corporate backers. Fighters who will bring new energy and spirit to the Senate. That’s exactly why I am endorsing my friend Mallory McMorrow for Senate.”
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Part of his statement was first reported by Politico Playbook. The McMorrow campaign issued the press release on Friday morning.
Murphy went on to tout McMorrow’s advocacy for gun violence prevention and to compliment her grassroots campaign.
“I’ve known Mallory for years, having fought together as young parents and legislators to keep our kids safe from gun violence. I’ve seen her fight and her effectiveness. She’s also won in a deep red district, and in office, she hasn’t been afraid to take on the powerful corporate interests that stand in the way of reform,” he added. “Now, she’s running a grassroots campaign to bring that track record to the Senate – without taking a dime of corporate PAC money. Mallory is the right leader for this moment, and with so much on the line, we need her proven record of winning and delivering in the U.S. Senate.”
McMorrow welcomed the sitting senator’s endorsement.
“In this moment, status quo won’t cut it. We need leaders who recognize the gravity of this moment, who tell it like it is, make clear who and what we’re fighting for, and have the track record of getting it done,” she said. “Senator Chris Murphy is one of those leaders meeting the moment. I’m so proud to have him on this team. Now it’s time to win and deliver.”
McMorrow has been endorsed by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), multiple state lawmakers and officials, the Pipefitters Local 370 labor union, and the Nurses for America grassroots group, among others.
It remains to be seen whether McMorrow, Stevens, or Abdul El-Sayed win the Democratic primary. As of now, Stevens is slightly leading McMorrow in more than one poll. However, Stevens is working against the Democratic Party’s doubts about her chances in the tight Michigan Senate race. The party is reportedly leaning toward an underdog candidate instead of the establishment choice.
McMorrow feuded with Stevens last month, criticizing the House Democrat’s impeachment inquiry of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She accused her primary opponent of indulging in “political theater,” citing New York Times reporting that Democratic Party leaders were unhappy with the move.
Meanwhile, former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) is leading the Republican primary field after narrowly losing the 2024 election against Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). Rogers has the support of President Donald Trump and the National Republican Senatorial Committee again, meaning he will likely become the GOP nominee.
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Peters, 67, announced last January that he would exit the Senate at the end of his current term instead of seeking reelection. The senator was first elected to the Senate in 2014.
The Washington Examiner contacted Murphy’s office for further comment on his endorsement.