Mallory McMorrow's tips for deciding whether to launch a political campaign

Here's what one of several people considering runs for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat said about what candidates should take into consideration before running for office.

Mallory McMorrow speaks to transit advocates in New Center on Jan. 28. Rep. Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans are also pictured. Photo: Samuel Robinson

A number of Michigan officials will soon decide whether to run for governor or the U.S. Senate seat being left open by Sen. Gary Peters.

Former U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg gave lesser known local candidates hope this month after he announced he won’t run for the state’s Senate seat, or for Michigan governor.

His explanation included a commitment to helping other candidates.

“I care deeply about who Michigan will elect as Governor and send to the U.S. Senate next year, but I have decided against competing in either race,” Buttigieg, 43, shared in a statement last week. “I remain enthusiastic about helping candidates who share our values — and who understand that in this moment, leadership means not only opposing today’s cruel chaos, but also presenting a vision of a better alternative.”

Peters’ surprise announcement that he wouldn’t seek reelection in 2026 presented a new opportunity for local politicians.

Democratic candidates actively considering running for the open Senate seat, according to media reports, include state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak; U.S. Reps. Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids and Haley Stevens of Birmingham; Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed; Attorney General Dana Nessel and Washtenaw County prosector Eli Savit.

Tudor Dixon, the Republican gubernatorial runner-up in 2022, announced Tuesday she’s considering a campaign for the Senate seat and for governor.

McMorrow, 38, is set to announce a bid for Senate in April, Joey Cappelletti reported earlier this month. It was also reported she expressed interested in joining the field of candidates for governor.

I’ll attempt to convince McMorrow to break her news via Detroit one million instead of Politico, but in the meantime, she did give me some interesting nuggets last month about what potential candidates like herself consider before deciding to run.