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

[BumRushDaShow]

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

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I would love to see Pete Buttigieg run for the Senate seat being vacated!

He would be a formidable candidate and a superb Senator.

[Luciferous]

3. That would be wonderful!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. It would be wonderful indeed, my dear Luciferous! He could do so much good in the Senate.

[Fla Dem]

2. Gov Witmer cannot run for Gov of Michigan in 2026 having served 2 terms.

She should and probably will run for his seat.

Pete Buttigieg is definitely a good choice.

[Moosepoop]

7. I'd hate to have to choose between them

Perhaps Whitmer for Senate and Buttigieg for Governor?

[ificandream]

5. Would love to see Pete in that seat.

[DownriverDem]

6. Who ever runs has to

win state wide. Folks have brought up Hill Harper and Mayor Pete. Do folks know anything about voters north of Detroit?

[James48]

10. I'm near the Mack bridge.

Pete is a good choice- he’s living up north now.

Very few people know Hill Harper.

I think Pete would have a better chance. Hill is a big city guy. Pete is much more.

[mahina]

8. I hope he wasnt threatened into this. With no reason given at 66

[maxsolomon]

11. Maybe he doesn't enjoy it.

It seems like it would be an awful task.

My niece was a page to Tester; she wanted to strangle multiple GQP assholes. She wants nothing to do with politics after that.

[James48]

9. There you go Pete.

Set up your committee, so I can donate.