Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) will not seek reelection in 2026, unexpectedly leaving an open seat in the swing state as Democrats already face a tough road to reclaim the majority.
Both parties will be in a mad dash to find candidates for the seat, which is expected to be competitive after President Donald Trump carried the state by 1.4 percentage points in 2024.
Peters, who was first elected in 2014, won by just under two points in 2020 and served as chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee when Democrats had control of the chamber.
The 66-year-old told The Detroit News that he’s ready to start a “new chapter” and leave public office.
“I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation. I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life,” he told the paper.
Michigan was already going to be a major battleground in the midterms, with both parties targeting the open race to succeed the term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Whitmer, who has also been floated as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, could jump into the Senate race. And would-be gubernatorial hopefuls could now switch to the Senate seat. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has already launched a gubernatorial bid, and other names floated include former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist.
Regardless of who’s running, both parties think the seat is going to be competitive, with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee issuing dueling statements on the open race.
“No Republican has won a Michigan Senate race in 30 years — including last cycle when Democrats won an open Senate seat even as Trump won the state — and Democrats will continue to hold this seat in 2026,” said DSCC spokesperson David Bergstein.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who chairs the NRSC, said Peters is “reading the room.”
“After spending years ignoring illegal immigration and destroying his state’s auto industry, Michigan is better off without him,” Scott said in a statement. “We’re committed to giving them a fighter that will stand with President Trump to restore the economic prosperity and security of our country.”
Former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers, who just lost a run against now-Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin last year, could give it another go. Republican Rep. John James, who narrowly lost to Peters in 2020 and has been floated as a gubernatorial candidate, could also jump in the race.
Peters made clear that he didn’t view leaving the Senate as a retirement, saying, “I hope, God willing, I have a lot more good years ahead.” Peters told The Detroit News he would not run in the open governor’s race.
“I think this is pretty normal for everybody to say, I’ve done a job, and I’m proud of the job I did, but there are other things I want to do in my life. There are other ways that I can give back to the community,” he said.
Before running for the Senate in 2014, Peters served in the House for three terms and previously served in the state Senate.
Daniella Diaz contributed to this report.
