Michigan U.S. Senate candidates pick lanes, not punches in debate

Three Democratic candidates vied for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in a May 28 debate on Mackinac Island, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Policy Conference. Abdul El-Sayed, Mallory McMorrow, and Haley Stevens—each with distinct backgrounds—avoided direct attacks, instead focusing on their qualifications and policy priorities for the race to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters. El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official, emphasized his opposition to corporate influence, declaring he had never accepted a PAC check from Blue Cross Blue Shield, a diamond sponsor of the event. He also joked about his medical credentials, referencing a Politico article questioning his physician status. McMorrow, a congresswoman, repeatedly targeted President Donald Trump and Republican nominee Mike Rogers, while Stevens highlighted her Michigan roots and experience leading the federal auto bailout during the Bush and Obama administrations. All three candidates agreed on abolishing the Senate filibuster, a procedural tool that complicates legislation passage. They also addressed antisemitism concerns within the Michigan Democratic Party, an issue that surfaced during the state party’s endorsement convention last month, where Stevens and another candidate faced backlash. El-Sayed appeared to energize the audience, despite the crowd’s likely conservative leanings, by criticizing corporate money in politics. McMorrow and Stevens did not raise their hands when asked if they had accepted Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC contributions. The debate, moderated by Nolan Finley of the Detroit News and Stephen Henderson, included sharp exchanges, with one candidate unintentionally targeting himself in a zinger. The candidates spent little time attacking each other, instead framing their pitches to Michigan’s business and political leaders. With the primary just over two months away, the debate underscored the candidates’ differing approaches: El-Sayed’s progressive stance, McMorrow’s focus on Trump-era policies, and Stevens’ emphasis on her legislative experience and state ties.