Michigan Senate candidate returning home to N.J. to raise money

Senate Majority Whip Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) and other New Jersey Democrats are hosting a fundraiser for Mallory McMorrow, a New Jersey native running for the U.S. Senate in Michigan.

McMorrow grew up in Readington Township and graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School.   The 39-year-old McMorrow won a Michigan State Senate seat in 2018 and is now the majority whip.

“In New Jersey, we are doing our part to help Democrats win back control of Congress, and Michigan is a key place for that to happen by supporting various candidates at the national level,” Gopal said. “Mallory is one of those candidates.”

Joining Gopal on the host committee are Monmouth County Democratic Chair Dyese Davis, Assemblywomen Luanne Peterpaul (D-Long Branch) and Margie Donlon (D-Ocean Township), Democratic strategist Maggie Moran and Democratic State Vice Chair and Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer.

Also part of the fundraising group: attorney Alex DeSavo, LIUNA official and Matawan Council President Deana Gunn, Asbury Park Mayor Rachel McGreevy, Loch Arbour Mayor Lori Hohenleitner, Dr. Suzy Dyer, Mary Foster, Shaun Keegan, Nic Lawniczuk. Dr. Robin Leitner, Tricia Maguire and Maggie Riker.

McMorrow and Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former health director for the city of Detroit, are locked in a close race in the August 4 Democratic primary.  An Emerson College poll released two weeks ago has McMorrow and El-Sayed tied at 24% each, with a third candidate, Rep. Haley Stevens, at 18%.

McMorrow is seeking to replace Gary Peters, a 67-year-old Democrat who is stepping down after twelve years in the Senate and eighteen years in Washington.

Donald Trump won Michigan in 2016 and 2024, but the state has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1994.  Democrat Elissa Slotkin won an open Senate seat by a 48.6% to 48.3 margin in 2024.

If McMorrow wins, she will become the fourth U.S. Senator to grow up in New Jersey, along with Cory Booker (Harrington Park), Andy Kim (Cherry Hill), and Mark Kelly (West Orange).

The event will be held on May 13 in Asbury Park.