Monday’s Campaign Round-Up, 7.6.26: McMorrow’s departure jolts Senate race in Michigan

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

This Video Is Trending Right Now →

* In Michigan’s closely watched U.S. Senate race, the three-way Democratic primary has become a two-person race in a contest that’s a must-win for Democrats if they’re going to have any chance of taking the majority.

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her statewide bid on Sunday, declining to endorse either of her former intraparty rivals, Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official.

That said, party leaders and their allies wasted little time in making their preference known. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had already endorsed Stevens, and within hours of McMorrow’s exit, state Attorney General Dana Nessel also threw her backing behind the congresswoman, as did EMILYs List, a progressive group focused on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights.

El-Sayed, who also wasted little time in trying to appeal to McMorrow’s supporters, has continued to argue that Stevens is backed by “establishment” figures, while he enjoys the backing of the party’s activist base. The primary is Aug. 4.

* A state judge has already ruled that retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan can, in fact, run against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, overturning a recent decision from the Alaska Division of Elections; but the circumstances surrounding the challenger’s candidacy are now facing investigations from the Alaska attorney general’s office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alaska and the FBI.

* In New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race (another must-win contest for Democrats if they’re going to have any chance of taking the majority), the latest poll from the Saint Anselm College Survey Center found Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas leading former Republican Sen. John Sununu, 47% to 41%. The latest University of New Hampshire poll, however, found a more competitive contest, with Pappas leading Sununu by only three points, 47% to 44%.