Michigan Senator Gary Peters announced he will not seek re-election in 2026, leaving a key Senate seat open in a crucial battleground state. Peters, who led Senate Democrats’ campaign efforts in recent elections, said he always intended to serve for a limited time and now wants to step aside for the next generation. His departure complicates Democratic efforts to regain Senate control after Republicans secured a 53-47 majority in 2024.
With Michigan becoming a political hotspot following Donald Trump’s presidential win, the race for Peters’ seat is expected to be highly competitive. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who recently moved to Michigan, is among potential contenders. Peters’ decision follows Senator Debbie Stabenow’s 2024 retirement, which led to a narrow Democratic victory by Senator Elissa Slotkin. Meanwhile, Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial race is also heating up, with multiple candidates vying to succeed term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
