Unpaid Utility Bills for Senate Candidate Mallory McMorrow
Democratic Senate hopeful Mallory McMorrow has run into quite the situation. While advocating for housing affordability, she and her husband, Ray Wert, racked up nearly a year’s worth of unpaid utility bills on their $1 million home in Royal Oak, Michigan.
As reported, they hadn’t settled their water or sewer bill since June 2025, accumulating over $3,000 in unpaid charges and late fees. This debt was cleared shortly after inquiries were made. A spokesperson confirmed, “The invoice in question has been paid,” and added that they are committed to covering everything. They also pointed fingers at Donald Trump and his supporters, claiming they’ve driven up costs for everyone, from groceries to utilities.
McMorrow, who is currently a state representative eyeing the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat, has had issues with late payments before. Records indicate the couple faced ten fines that exceeded $400 since purchasing their $1.28 million home in late 2021. A local publication described the property, equipped with a pool and courtyard, as “remarkable.”
Interestingly, in late 2024, overdue water bills again stacked up. After missing payments for five months, they finally settled a $917 bill in January 2025, but owed an additional $45 in late fees. Royal Oak Township operates on a quarterly billing cycle and charges a 5% late fee. If payments had continued to be missed, further penalties would apply, and unpaid bills could even be tacked onto property taxes, raising risks of water shutoffs.
Despite her personal financial hiccups, McMorrow has been a vocal advocate for affordable water access. She co-hosted a bill last year that aimed to cap water bills for low-income households and forgive past-due debts. Funding for this initiative comes from small surcharges applied to water customers across Michigan. Additionally, she supports the Water Rights Act, which would affirm access to affordable drinking water as a fundamental right.
In a Facebook post from March 2021, she emphasized, “Access to water is a human right, even in non-pandemic times,” further showcasing her commitment to this issue.
As she navigates her campaign to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Gary Peters, the stakes are high. The race is critical for Democrats hoping to retain the seat, with Republicans eager to seize the opportunity after former Rep. Mike Rogers exited the race with Trump’s backing.
McMorrow’s platform stands center-left, challenging the wealthy to pay their “fair share” in taxes. Countering her are candidates such as Democratic Senator Abdul El-Sayed, who is known for his progressive backing from Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Haley Stevens, who tends to lean more centrist.
Amidst the scrutiny, McMorrow recently faced backlash over deleted social media posts that criticized “middle America” and drew connections between Trump supporters and Nazi Germany. In defending her online history, she responded by saying she was merely sharing things “like a normal person.”
