Detroit Lawmaker Enters Michigan’s Pivotal Senate Race
The political landscape in Michigan is heating up as Detroit lawmaker Joe Tate announces his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. This move adds him to a growing list of Democrats battling for a pivotal seat that could influence the party’s control in the 2026 midterm elections.
State Representative Joe Tate, a former marine and NFL player, officially launched his campaign on Sunday. He joins three other Democrats in the race for the seat that will be vacated by retiring U.S. Senator Gary Peters.
In a conversation with the Associated Press, Tate discussed his motivations, citing his grandparents’ journey from Alabama to Detroit during the Great Migration as a driving force behind his campaign. “I’m running for the U.S. Senate, because I want to continue to keep that promise that my grandparents came up to Michigan for,” he expressed.
Tate’s candidacy will require him to overcome past challenges faced by the state Democratic Party under his leadership. He made history in 2022 when he became the first Black speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. That year, Democrats secured a historic “trifecta,” controlling both legislative chambers and the governor’s office.
During this period, the Democrats enacted significant legislation on issues like gun control, climate change, and reproductive rights. They also repealed the “right to work” law.
However, political momentum dwindled as Republicans regained control of the state House in the 2024 elections. Internal party divisions led Tate to end a legislative session prematurely, halting progress on numerous bills, including those focused on economic development and reproductive health data.
As the Republicans assumed control of the Legislature in January, many issues have remained unresolved. Both Democrats and Republicans have criticized Tate for the abrupt end to the session. The new Republican speaker has noted Tate’s responsibility to ensure bills reached Governor Gretchen Whitmer, saying, “It’s just unfortunate that some people decided to stop coming to work when the job wasn’t done.”
Tate, however, is proud of the Democratic achievements during his tenure, highlighting legislation on universal background checks for firearms and free school meals. “I see kids with full bellies in schools because of what we did,” he remarked.
The race for the U.S. Senate seat has drawn several contenders. Competing alongside Tate are U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and former gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed. On the Republican front, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers is also in the race.
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