Democrat Mallory McMorrow (MI-13) knows how to fight back – and she’s written a political resistance roadmap anyone can follow.
“I wrote ‘Hate Won’t Win’ to answer the question I’ve heard from thousands of people across the country: ‘I’m overwhelmed. I want to do something—but I have no idea where to start,’” McMorrow said in an email.
On Friday McMorrow, the Michigan State Senate majority whip, makes her only regional Philadelphia visit to the Salem United Church of Christ in Doylestown to speak at a community discussion and sign her first book, “Hate Won’t Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It.”
The book is a collection of Morrow’s learned and work experiences, offering a roadmap to anyone interested in making a difference in politics.
“I know hate will only win if people like me stand by and let it happen. We will not let hate win,” McMorrow said.
“Hate Won’t Win” is a candid account of McMorrow’s hard-earned chops as a state legislator. She recently announced a 2026 campaign bid to replace outgoing U.S. Senator Gary Peters, who announced he would retire when his term ends in 2027.
“In the wake of the 2016 election I quite literally Googled ‘how to run for office’ and ended up finding my footing, my voice, and my purpose,” McMorrow said.
In 2022 McMorrow was a target of Republican colleague Sen. Lana Theis (D-27 MI) who accused McMorrow in an election fundraising email to prospective donors of being a “groomer” who sexualized children, the Boston Public Radio and Associated Press reported.
McMorrow responded to Theis with a speech on the Michigan Senate floor, which was released by PBS NewsHour. It went viral and has been viewed more than 9 million times.
“People who are different are not the reason our roads are in bad shape after decades of disinvestment; that health care costs are too high or that teachers are leaving the profession,” McMorrow said during the 2022 state senate speech.
She describes herself as a “straight, white, Christian, married, suburban mom” and said she wants every child to feel “seen and supported not marginalized and targeted because they are not straight, white and Christian.”
“Right now at town halls and community meetings people aren’t just asking Democrats to fix things—they’re asking what they can do … Because standing up to Donald Trump and everything his movement represents won’t just take elected officials. It’s going to take all of us,” McMorrow said.
Amy McGahran, membership chair of Doylestown Democrats, said she was introduced to McMorrow and her mother, who lives in Doylestown, through a series of political events.
She said the goal of the May 16 book signing is to host a positive community event where everyone – regardless of political affiliation – can feel welcome.
“I want to build our community whether they are Democrats or not and get people involved. Mallory has a very inspiring message, and we want to have an event that supports our community and a vision of it being a more inclusive community,” McGahran said.
Kira Kraiman is an event promoter and a committee person for Doylestown Democrats.
“Particularly when I hear people like Mallory, she is inspiring, has the right tone and has a message we’re not hearing that much. I want people to leave this event feeling better, feeling inspired and feeling hopeful,” Kraiman explained.
If you go:
What: “Hate Won’t Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It” book discussion and signing.
Where: Salem United Church of Christ, 186 E. Court St. Doylestown, PA. Salem United is providing rented space. It is not an event sponsor.
Who: Mallory McMorrow, Michigan state Senator and majority whip
When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 16.
Tickets cost $50 and include a signed copy of the book. Students under 25 pay $30 for event admission and a book. Event sale proceeds benefit Doylestown Democrats and the Immigrants Rights Action, a non-profit legal services organization. Event registration is required.
