(TRAVERSE CITY) - Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign for the U.S. Senate on Sunday.
That abruptly reshapes the party primary just a month before the election and leaving a two-person contest between moderate Haley Stevens and progressive Abdul El-Sayed.
McMorrow's exit comes after many Democrats increasingly viewed her as a long shot for the nomination. It also creates a fresh dynamic in one of the country's most closely watched Senate races, forcing Democratic voters into a direct choice between Stevens, a mainstream congresswoman backed by much of the party establishment, and El-Sayed, supported by many progressive movement leaders.
The binary choice will be on full display Tuesday, when Stevens and El-Sayed are set to face off in a televised debate. During a May debate, El-Sayed repeatedly went on the offensive against Stevens, who mostly declined to engage directly with him.
McMorrow's departure could also prompt influential Democrats in the state to announce their support for Stevens because of concerns about El-Sayed's electability in a general election. Some had stayed on the sidelines because of relationships with McMorrow.
The seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Gary Peters is one that the party must hold if it hopes to reclaim the Senate majority in this fall's midterm elections. The primary winner is expected to face Republican Mike Rogers, who lost to now-Senator Elissa Slotkin in 2024.
McMorrow made the announcement in a statement and video posted online Sunday, which came after ballots have already gone out. While McMorrow did not elaborate on her decision to exit the race, a person with direct knowledge said the biggest factor was the recent influx of outside spending boosting Stevens. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has poured millions into ads supporting Stevens, leaving both McMorrow and El-Sayed struggling to keep pace. The person, who would only speak on condition of anonymity, said McMorrow has no plans to endorse either remaining candidate at this point.