Mallory McMorrow Accused of Flip-Flopping on Data Centers, Utilities, and Corporate Money as West Michigan Voters Weigh In

Senate Candidate McMorrow Accused of Flip-Flopping on Data Centers, Utilities, and Corporate Money as West Michigan Voters Weigh In

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow is facing increasing scrutiny from her Democratic primary rivals and critics as she campaigns for Michigan Senate, with questions mounting about her shifting positions on issues that directly affect West Michigan residents and businesses.

The Royal Oak Democrat's positions have evolved dramatically on corporate political action committee donations, utility regulation, and data center expansion — all topics that have real implications for West Michigan communities from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Muskegon.

Corporate PAC Money: From Supporter to Opponent

McMorrow's stance on corporate PAC donations has undergone a complete transformation. In a 2017 interview with Bustle, McMorrow defended the practice, stating, "We'll never even win elections to get more seats at the table if we don't take advantage of every opportunity out there. Right now, money wins elections."

She also previously posted on social media that, "If we on the left continue to tear down candidates for taking money to win, we'll continue to lose," before later deleting the post.

Now, McMorrow is presenting herself as a candidate who believes campaigns should be run without corporate PAC dollars. This reversal has drawn sharp criticism from her progressive rival Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County public health director who has consistently barred corporate PAC money since his 2018 gubernatorial run.

El-Sayed is taking note of what he describes as McMorrow's inconsistent approach. "Mallory waits until I take a position and then takes a halfway position, like two months later," El-Sayed said on a private organizing call first reported by Punchbowl. "So some of us lead, and some of us follow, and I guess some of us get out of the way."

El-Sayed emphasized the difference between himself and McMorrow isn't just ideology, but consistency. "I've been saying the same things for eight years, since I got into politics," El-Sayed recently said. "I didn't shift."

The Money Trail

The data reveals significant questions about McMorrow's past relationships with corporate money. Her state Senate campaign committee and leadership PAC accepted more than $120,000 from corporate PACs and other business-aligned groups.

Notably, this includes a $500 contribution from Dow's corporate PAC in March 2025, just one month before she launched her U.S. Senate campaign. She also received nearly $20,000 from DTE Energy, CMS Energy, and SEMCO Energy — major utilities that set energy rates for millions of Michigan residents, including countless West Michigan families.

Data Centers and Energy Policy

McMorrow's positions on data centers and energy policy have also raised concerns among West Michigan voters. The region is home to major tech infrastructure and utilities that could be affected by her proposed policies.

The inconsistency on this issue matters to West Michigan because data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity, directly impacting local utility rates. Many Michigan businesses and families rely on DTE Energy, CMS Energy, and other regional utilities, making policy changes on utility regulation and data center expansion matters of direct concern.

What This Means for West Michigan Voters

The flip-flopping on these issues matters to West Michigan voters for several reasons:

First, Michigan Senate legislation affects budget allocations for West Michigan schools, healthcare facilities, and infrastructure projects. McMorrow's positions on corporate funding and energy policy could influence how these services are financed and delivered.

Second, the energy sector is critical to West Michigan's economy. Companies like DTE Energy, CMS Energy, and the utilities that power West Michigan's manufacturing and tech sectors are major employers. Policy changes on utility regulation and data center expansion could affect jobs, rates, and investment in the region.

Third, West Michigan voters face real choices about corporate money in politics. With nearly $20,000 received from major regional utilities and $500 from Dow's corporate PAC, McMorrow's past relationships with these entities could influence her policy positions on issues that affect local businesses and residents.

The Primary Race Heats Up

As the August 4 primary approaches, McMorrow's positions have opened her up to scrutiny from her progressive rival Abdul El-Sayed and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, a center-left Democrat from Birmingham.

El-Sayed's campaign has emphasized consistency as a key differentiator. "I've learned through my time in the legislature that you can't talk out of both sides of your mouth, that people won't trust you," McMorrow said in an interview earlier this month. "And also, not only can we fund campaigns without corporate PAC dollars, but frankly, we need."

However, critics argue this position came only after she had accepted corporate PAC money for every election she had ever run.

A Response from McMorrow's Campaign

McMorrow's campaign says her decision-making process has remained consistent, even as her positions have evolved. "Mallory's process for how she comes to decisions has always been the same: looking at the facts on the ground, assessing them as they change, and making the best decision for the people she represents," spokesperson Hannah Lindow tells Metro Times. "That's what everybody deserves in their U.S. Senator."

Why West Michigan Should Pay Attention

The Michigan Senate race matters to West Michigan for several reasons. State senators influence:

• Budget allocations for West Michigan public schools, hospitals, and community facilities
• Transportation and infrastructure projects that affect local commuters and businesses
• Healthcare funding and policy that impacts local hospitals and clinics
• Economic development programs that bring jobs and investment to the region

McMorrow's positions on corporate money, utility regulation, and data centers could influence how these priorities are addressed and funded.

The Choice Comes Up August 4

West Michigan voters will have a say in who represents them in the Michigan Senate this August. The race features candidates with different positions on corporate money, utility regulation, and data center expansion — issues that have real implications for West Michigan communities.

As the primary approaches, voters in Kent, Kalamazoo, Ottawa, and surrounding counties will need to weigh the candidates' positions on issues that directly affect their daily lives and their communities' futures.