Michigan Senator Gary Peters has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026, leaving a critical Senate seat up for grabs. The 66-year-old’s decision to step down after serving two terms surprises many, especially as it presents a major challenge for Michigan Democrats at a time when the political landscape is shifting.

Peters, who has led the Democratic Senate campaign in both of the last two election cycles, explained his choice in an interview with The Detroit News, emphasizing that he always envisioned his time in Congress as finite. “I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins to the next generation,” Peters said. “I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life.” He continued, “I’m not retiring; I’m just not running for re-election in the Senate. I hope, God willing, I have a lot more good years ahead.”

Peters, who previously served three terms in the U.S. House, had initially planned to serve just a few terms when he first entered Congress in 2008. Now, after two terms in the Senate, he feels it’s time to “write a few more paragraphs” in his current chapter before stepping aside.

The timing of his decision, just months after former President Donald Trump won Michigan in the 2024 election, creates a difficult situation for the Democratic Party. With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate, Peters’ departure makes it harder for Democrats to regain control of the Senate, as they now must defend the crucial Michigan Senate seat without the advantage of an incumbent candidate.

One prominent name being mentioned as a potential candidate for the seat is Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. transportation secretary who recently moved to Michigan. His potential run highlights the challenge for Democrats to defend a Senate seat in Michigan, a state that Trump won in the 2024 presidential election.

Peters’ decision adds to the political upheaval in Michigan, following the surprise announcement by longtime Senator Debbie Stabenow that she would not seek a fifth term in 2024. Senator Elissa Slotkin narrowly won that seat for the Democrats in a fiercely contested race.

A moderate and pragmatic figure, Peters was first elected to the Senate in 2014 after serving three terms in the U.S. House. He chaired the Senate Homeland Security Committee from 2021 to 2025 and is currently the ranking member. In addition to his role in the Senate, Peters also led the Democratic Senate campaign from 2021 until earlier this year, helping the party secure control of the Senate through tough battles in the 2022 midterm elections. However, the Democrats lost their majority in 2024 after Republicans won several key Senate races.

Peters’ exit also sets the stage for a high-stakes gubernatorial election in Michigan. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s term is limited, and several political figures have already announced their intentions to run. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan plans to run as an independent, while Aric Nesbitt, the Republican leader of the state Senate, and Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic secretary of state, have also entered the race.

The open Senate seat will undoubtedly spark significant speculation, with Buttigieg’s name at the forefront. After his unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid, Buttigieg moved to Michigan, and Democrats have been encouraging him to consider a run for governor. The next few years will undoubtedly be a pivotal time for Michigan’s political landscape, with the future of the Senate seat and the governorship up for grabs.