Michigan Sen. Gary Peters’s (D) unexpected decision to not seek another term in 2026 has scrambled what was already expected to be a closely fought race in a key battleground. Democrats knew that

Democratic Sen. Gary Peters won’t run for re-election in Michigan in 2026, creating a pivotal open Senate seat in one of the most tightly divided battleground states in the U.S.

Two-term Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters will not be running for reelection in 2026 to defend one of the most competitive Senate seats nationwide this upcoming midterm cycle. Peters, 66, is leaving Washington to spend more time with his family after a long career as a congressman and senator from one of America’s preeminent swing states.