Michigan Democrats favor progressive state Sen. Mallory McMorrow over Rep. Haley Stevens for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, according to a new poll, even though Stevens is her party’s best bet to beat a Republican in the general election.
An Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media survey found McMorrow leading Stevens, 22% to 17%. Former Wayne County Health Director Abdul el Sayed, who is also running to the left of Stevens in the Senate primary, received 16%.
But in a matchup with the leading Republican candidate, former Rep. Mike Rogers, Stevens leads 47% to his 42%. McMorrow receives 46% compared to Rogers’s 43%. El Sayed and Rogers are tied at 43%.
McMorrow celebrated the poll’s results in a statement, pointing to her netting the highest favorability among the three Democratic candidates.
“Michiganders are ready for new leadership in Washington, and this poll reflects exactly that,” McMorrow said. “Business as usual won’t cut it, not now. That’s what we’ve heard loud and clear in every corner of the state over the last ten months of this campaign. We’re showing up everywhere – from breweries to churches to living rooms to union halls – listening to everyone, and building an agenda, and a future, worth fighting for.”
McMorrow has netted several big-name endorsements, most recently from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), despite Senate Democratic leadership showing a preference for establishment-backed Stevens. Murphy said in his endorsement that now is the time for “fighters” in the Senate who will “bring new energy and spirit” to the chamber.
“In this moment, status quo won’t cut it,” the state senator said.
A Stevens campaign spokesperson centered on Stevens’ matchup with Rogers, telling the Washington Examiner the survey is the latest to show “Haley Stevens is the best Democrat to defeat Mike Rogers and keep Michigan’s Senate seat blue.”
Several polls have found the congresswoman as the strongest competitor against Rogers. Other polls have shown Rogers barely leading his Democratic opponents.
Alyssa Brouillet, spokeswoman for Rogers’s campaign, said in a statement that the Michigan Senate race will be the “biggest” of the 2026 cycle and acknowledged its competitiveness.
“We have always expected a close race, but poll after poll has shown Mike Rogers carrying the lead,” Brouillet said.
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A Detroit News Poll found Rogers leading Stevens by 0.4%, leading McMorrow by 3.3%, and leading El-Sayed by 6.4%.
The Michigan Senate Democratic primary is shaping up to be one of the most contentious of the 2026 general elections. Whoever wins the Democratic primary will likely face off against Rogers in the general election to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a “toss up.”