Michigan senator Gary Peters will not seek re-election in 2026

Senator Gary Peters announced on Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, leaving an open seat in Michigan, a battleground state that President Donald Trump won by a narrow margin in 2024. The Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate.

Open race

Both Republicans and Democrats will now rush to find candidates for the competitive Michigan seat, which Trump carried by just 1.4 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, according to Politico.


After winning his first election in 2014, Peters was re-elected in 2020 with a narrow margin of less than two percentage points.

His decision not to seek a third term sets the stage for a major contest in 2026 in a state that also has an open governor's race, as Gretchen Whitmer is stepping down due to term limits.

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Passing the reins

Peters, who served as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in the past two election cycles, told The Detroit News that he is stepping aside to allow the next generation to take the lead.

He said that he had always anticipated a time when he would “step aside and pass the reins for the next generation,” as he never viewed a career in Congress as something meant to last a lifetime.

What next for Gary Peters?

The 66-year-old Peters, who has also served three terms in the House of Representatives and in the Navy Reserve, released a video on Tuesday explaining his decision. He stated that the "most important chapter in my life is a work in progress," which now includes becoming a new grandfather.

Democrats vs Republicans

According to The New York Times, Democrats face a major challenge to regain control of the Senate next year, as Republicans hold a 53-seat majority. The Democrats will need to win four seats, with Vice President JD Vance serving as the tiebreaking vote. The party is also looking to defend Senator Jon Ossoff's seat in Georgia.

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Last year, Democrats successfully held their seat in Michigan when Elissa Slotkin defeated former Representative Mike Rogers, a Republican.

FAQs

1. Who is Gary Peters?
Gary Peters is a Michigan Senator, lawyer, and former military officer. He also led the Senate campaign efforts for the Democrats during the last two election cycles.

2. Which party won Michigan in the 2024 US presidential election?
In the 2024 presidential election, President Donald Trump secured a victory over his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, in the key battleground state of Michigan.