Democratic Sen. Gary Peters won’t seek reelection in 2026, kicking off what could be a crowded primary to replace him in the battleground state of Michigan.
Peters, 66, told The Detroit News that it is time for a “new chapter” that focuses on spending more time with his family.
“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,” Peters told the outlet.
The news of the senator’s surprise announcement was first reported by Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo.
Peters served in the House before his election to the Senate in 2014. He chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2021-2022 cycle, where Democrats picked up seats in the upper chamber. He is also the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
“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,” Peters told The Detroit News.
Potential candidates to replace Peters include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D); the state’s attorney general, Dana Nessel; Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.); Michigan state Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow (D); and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a resident of the state.
On the Republican side, former Rep. Mike Rogers, who ran unsuccessfully in 2024 against Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), could try another bid, and Rep. John James (R-Mich.) is a possible contender as well. Other names that have come up include Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and Tony Dungy, the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
“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,” DSCC spokesman David Bergstein said in a statement.
Whitmer immediately ruled out a Senate run, using the acronym “NFW” ― for “no fucking way” ― when asked about it on ABC’s “The View” on Tuesday.
“I am not going anywhere. I’ve got two more years to my term,” Whitmer said. “I’ve got a lot of things I want to get done as governor. What comes after that, I don’t know yet.”
Buttigieg was the first Democrat to express explicit interest in running. Axios first reported the news and HuffPost confirmed it.
“Pete is exploring all of his options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve,” someone familiar with Buttigieg’s thinking told HuffPost. “He’s honored to be mentioned for this and he’s taking a serious look.”
McMorrow told HuffPost she was looking at either a Senate or gubernatorial run.
“I’m taking a very close look at both the Senate seat as well as the governor’s race and plan to have a number of conversations in the coming days about where I can do the most good for Michiganders,” she said.