Democrats on Defensive Over Open Senate Seat in Michigan
His unexpected retirement in the battleground states occurs during a challenging Senate cycle for Democrats.
TroibNews 
Gary Peters’ surprise retirement from a vital swing state Senate seat has placed Democrats on the defensive in an already challenging Senate cycle, igniting a period of introspection within the party.
As a diverse group of Democrats prepares to vie for the seat, Peters' departure has transformed Michigan into an early testing ground for the Democratic Party's identity crisis in a battleground state. This situation could indicate whether the GOP’s influence persists in the Rust Belt without President Donald Trump on the ballot in 2026. Notably, one of the leading potential candidates, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has ruled herself out of the Senate race.
"If Whitmer had run, she would've frozen the field. Now, we've got an open one. You've got [Pete] Buttigieg, [state Sen. Mallory] McMorrow, and I'm sure there will be surprises,” said Democratic Michigan state Rep. Noah Arbit.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his newly appointed campaign chair, Kirsten Gillibrand, now face the challenge of guiding their party through a competitive Senate primary after previously attempting to avert a high-profile intraparty contest last cycle.
First elected in 2014, Peters won reelection by just under two points in 2020, serving as chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee during the Democrats' control of the chamber. He also held the position of two-term chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
His announcement means that Michigan will have an open Senate race in 2026, alongside a race for governor, attracting significant attention from ambitious political figures in both parties.
Peters' retirement sent shockwaves through the Michigan political establishment on Tuesday morning. At only 66, he is considered relatively young for retirement in a Senate often populated by nonagenarians.
Democrats boast a robust array of candidates spanning the ideological spectrum, including McMorrow, who is viewed as a rising star and effective communicator; Rep. Haley Stevens; purple-district Reps. Hillary Scholten and Kristen McDonald Rivet; Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel; Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; and Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary and recent Michigan resident.
A crowded primary could provide Democrats an opportunity to test various messages and strategies against Trump as they seek a path forward following a tough election loss. Trump performed strongly in the Rust Belt and won the Sun Belt states that former President Joe Biden had flipped in 2020.
Although Whitmer has withdrawn her name from consideration, the race may attract a large field of candidates.
“Pete is exploring options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve. He's honored to be mentioned for this and he's taking a serious look,” said a person close to Buttigieg who requested anonymity to speak freely.
Stevens is also “actively considering it,” according to a person familiar with her perspective. Gilchrist is likewise taking a “serious look,” per a well-informed source. McMorrow told PMG, “I’m taking a serious 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.”
Others considering a run include state Sen. Sarah Anthony, who said she is “definitely looking at it.” Matt Sahr, head of the Michigan firefighters union, is also contemplating a bid, according to a source familiar with his plans.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has already entered the governor's race.
Democrats lost their slim Senate majority in 2024 and will face a difficult path to reclaim it in the midterms. The 2026 electoral map is limited, with only a few truly competitive seats available. Democrats must defend Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia and the now-open seat in Michigan, while Republicans need to protect Sens. Thom Tillis in North Carolina and Susan Collins in Maine.
Following Trump's victory in Michigan and the state party's full endorsement of MAGA-ism, Republicans believe they are uniquely positioned to win a statewide race for the first time in years.
"The cookie cutter Republicans of the past aren't gonna make the cut," said a senior Michigan Republican who requested anonymity to speak openly. "If you were anti-Trump, there's literally no path."
The Republican field of contenders may be narrower, but that does not guarantee a lack of contention in the primary.
A strong candidate on the Republican side could be GOP Rep. John James, a rising talent in the party who has lost two Senate races in 2018 and 2020 but has never run for an open seat. He is also considering a bid for the governor's office.
In the aftermath of Peters’ announcement, Republicans have floated various candidates, including former Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in 2024; former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who lost to Whitmer in 2018; business owner Sandy Pensler, who can self-fund after running against Rogers in the primary; and John Tuttle, a connected former New York Stock Exchange executive who recently returned to Michigan.
A group of emerging young Republican leaders in the legislature, such as Rep. Bryan Posthumus, have also expressed interest, with Posthumus remarking when asked about potentially entering the race: "It's really early. We will have to see how things shape up a bit.”
Adam Wren, Brakkton Booker, and Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
As a diverse group of Democrats prepares to vie for the seat, Peters' departure has transformed Michigan into an early testing ground for the Democratic Party's identity crisis in a battleground state. This situation could indicate whether the GOP’s influence persists in the Rust Belt without President Donald Trump on the ballot in 2026. Notably, one of the leading potential candidates, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has ruled herself out of the Senate race.
"If Whitmer had run, she would've frozen the field. Now, we've got an open one. You've got [Pete] Buttigieg, [state Sen. Mallory] McMorrow, and I'm sure there will be surprises,” said Democratic Michigan state Rep. Noah Arbit.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his newly appointed campaign chair, Kirsten Gillibrand, now face the challenge of guiding their party through a competitive Senate primary after previously attempting to avert a high-profile intraparty contest last cycle.
First elected in 2014, Peters won reelection by just under two points in 2020, serving as chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee during the Democrats' control of the chamber. He also held the position of two-term chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
His announcement means that Michigan will have an open Senate race in 2026, alongside a race for governor, attracting significant attention from ambitious political figures in both parties.
Peters' retirement sent shockwaves through the Michigan political establishment on Tuesday morning. At only 66, he is considered relatively young for retirement in a Senate often populated by nonagenarians.
Democrats boast a robust array of candidates spanning the ideological spectrum, including McMorrow, who is viewed as a rising star and effective communicator; Rep. Haley Stevens; purple-district Reps. Hillary Scholten and Kristen McDonald Rivet; Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel; Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; and Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary and recent Michigan resident.
A crowded primary could provide Democrats an opportunity to test various messages and strategies against Trump as they seek a path forward following a tough election loss. Trump performed strongly in the Rust Belt and won the Sun Belt states that former President Joe Biden had flipped in 2020.
Although Whitmer has withdrawn her name from consideration, the race may attract a large field of candidates.
“Pete is exploring options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve. He's honored to be mentioned for this and he's taking a serious look,” said a person close to Buttigieg who requested anonymity to speak freely.
Stevens is also “actively considering it,” according to a person familiar with her perspective. Gilchrist is likewise taking a “serious look,” per a well-informed source. McMorrow told PMG, “I’m taking a serious 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.”
Others considering a run include state Sen. Sarah Anthony, who said she is “definitely looking at it.” Matt Sahr, head of the Michigan firefighters union, is also contemplating a bid, according to a source familiar with his plans.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has already entered the governor's race.
Democrats lost their slim Senate majority in 2024 and will face a difficult path to reclaim it in the midterms. The 2026 electoral map is limited, with only a few truly competitive seats available. Democrats must defend Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia and the now-open seat in Michigan, while Republicans need to protect Sens. Thom Tillis in North Carolina and Susan Collins in Maine.
Following Trump's victory in Michigan and the state party's full endorsement of MAGA-ism, Republicans believe they are uniquely positioned to win a statewide race for the first time in years.
"The cookie cutter Republicans of the past aren't gonna make the cut," said a senior Michigan Republican who requested anonymity to speak openly. "If you were anti-Trump, there's literally no path."
The Republican field of contenders may be narrower, but that does not guarantee a lack of contention in the primary.
A strong candidate on the Republican side could be GOP Rep. John James, a rising talent in the party who has lost two Senate races in 2018 and 2020 but has never run for an open seat. He is also considering a bid for the governor's office.
In the aftermath of Peters’ announcement, Republicans have floated various candidates, including former Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in 2024; former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who lost to Whitmer in 2018; business owner Sandy Pensler, who can self-fund after running against Rogers in the primary; and John Tuttle, a connected former New York Stock Exchange executive who recently returned to Michigan.
A group of emerging young Republican leaders in the legislature, such as Rep. Bryan Posthumus, have also expressed interest, with Posthumus remarking when asked about potentially entering the race: "It's really early. We will have to see how things shape up a bit.”
Adam Wren, Brakkton Booker, and Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
