Michigan Sen. Gary Peters will not run for reelection, opening a key Senate seat

Source: AP

Updated 9:30 AM EST, January 28, 2025


LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who led the Democrats’ Senate campaign efforts the past two election cycles, has announced he will not seek a third term in 2026, creating a highly contested battleground seat expected to be highly coveted by both parties.

The 66-year-old’s unexpected decision Tuesday to step aside after just two terms comes as a surprise and poses a challenge for Democrats in Michigan during a turbulent period, likely dividing their strong bench between the gubernatorial and Senate race in 2026.

Having lost Michigan in the presidential race, Peters’ decision forces Democrats to defend a critical Senate seat in Michigan without the advantage of an incumbent, complicating their efforts to regain control of the chamber in 2026, where Republicans currently hold a slim majority. Expected to be among the names most circulated for the position is Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. Transportation Secretary who moved to Michigan in recent years.

This is the second consecutive cycle in which Democrats must navigate the challenge of defending an open Senate seat in Michigan, a state won by Donald Trump in 2024.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/gary-peters-michigan-retirement-72fb02bbc816e31f035d797f9185599c