Michigan Democratic Senate primary a toss-up after McMorrow departure: Survey

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A new poll shows that the Michigan Democratic Senate race is a tight one after state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D) dropped out on Sunday.

The Politico survey, conducted by Tavern Research on Monday and Tuesday, found that 42 percent of respondents would vote for moderate Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and 41 percent would vote for former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed.

Nearly 1 in 5 respondents were unsure of their choice, and the margin of error was 2.5 percentage points.

McMorrow, who sought to find a lane between the moderate Stevens and the progressive El-Sayed, ended her campaign amid low polling numbers. In announcing her departure from the race, the Michigan Senate majority whip did not endorse either of the remaining candidates.

In a match-up between all three, El-Sayed received 41 percent support to Stevens’s 38 percent. Five percent backed McMorrow, with 16 percent unsure.

El-Sayed and Stevens squared off on Tuesday in their first debate since McMorrow suspended her campaign.

During the debate, hosted by Nexstar’s WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids, Mich., they clashed over outside spending in the race and U.S. support for Israel. Stevens has supported Israel but recently criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while El-Sayed has said the federal government should not finance Israeli weaponry.

“In this race, you’ve probably seen ad after ad after ad,” El-Sayed said Tuesday. “Not one of those ads was brought to you by the congresswoman’s campaign. All of them were brought to you by corporate PACs and AIPAC [the American Israel Public Affairs Committee] trying to buy a politician who’s going to do their bidding instead of yours.”

Stevens, on the other hand, touted herself as a “workhorse” who will fight for Michigan in the upper chamber.

“I am not trying to sell a book or a podcast,” Stevens said in her opening remarks. “I’m the only one on this stage who doesn’t have a talent agent trying to pitch me for paid speeches, and unlike my opponent, I’m not running at the first mic or camera I see.”

El-Sayed has authored three books and previously hosted the “America Dissected” podcast, which focused on the intersection of health, policy and politics.

McMorrow said the winner of the Aug. 4 primary will have her “full support” in the general election against the likely GOP nominee, former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.). Early voting in the primary starts July 25 and ends Aug. 2.

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Abdul El-Sayed

Benjamin Netanyahu

Haley Stevens

Haley Stevens

Mallory McMorrow

Michigan Senate race

Mike Rogers

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