Democratic Senate candidates clash during debate; Gov. Whitmer walks back presidential claims at Mackinac Policy Conference

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (WILX) - Three Democratic candidates for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat took to the debate stage at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Thursday.

State Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), former public health official Abdul Al-Sayed, and U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-Michigan) spoke on a number of issues, including the state of the economy.

“Gas is hovering around $5 a gallon. The idea of the American dream is wasting away from us,” McMorrow said.

Stevens said Michigan is paying the price because of chaotic, erratic tariffs coming down on its people.

Al-Sayed said there is an opportunity to find like-minded opportunities with Republicans who “understand that their people, too, are getting picked apart.”

Tensions rose later in the debate when the candidates were asked about how much influence donors would have on policy. Stevens was asked about the influence the American Israel Public Affairs Committee would have.

Her opponent, Al-Sayed, claimed she didn’t directly answer the question.

“And I articulate positions of freedom and democracy, and what Michigan needs to succeed at the global stage, and nationally,” Stevens said.

Al-Sayed responded by saying, “And you’re also not answering the question.”

McMorrow said she hasn’t taken money from corporate political action committees during this campaign.

“We are building up a campaign that shows that we can run very differently. That we can win very differently,” McMorrow said.

But, again, Al-Sayed interjected by saying, “I just want to ask about the last two campaigns.”

The candidates spoke about their plans if Michigan voters send them to the Senate, including proposed changes to the filibuster and to corporate money in political campaigns.

“For the next two years, we are going to have to put as much sand in the gears of the Trump administration as possible,” Al-Sayed said.

Stevens, McMorrow, and El-Sayed will face off in the Aug. 4 primary election, with the winner squaring off against former U.S. congressman for Michigan, Mike Rogers.

Rogers, who also spoke at the conference on Thursday, says this election is a “change election.”

“We’ve been doing the same thing over and over again for 32 years in the United States Senate. We send two people of the same party who think the same way, they talk the same way, and they’ve been voting the same way. We’ve got to change that. In the last 8 years, we’ve had the same party in charge. And you see the cost structures that went up and the cost to every person’s wallet. I look at it and say this is the change election,” Rogers said.

He also spoke on the loss of manufacturing jobs in the state and how China is threatening the state’s auto industry.

Gretchen Whitmer gave her final address at the conference as Michigan governor. Earlier in the day, she made headlines by saying she wouldn’t run for president in 2028.

“I think there will be a robust group of people that will be running for president. I will not be one of them in 2028, I can tell you that,” Whitmer said.

But just hours later, during her address, she walked those comments back, saying, “I never thought I would run for governor. So I guess I should know better than to say never say never, but I don’t want any distractions as I wrap up my 8 years as governor.”

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