Democratic Sen. Gary Peters won't seek re-election when his term is up in January 2027, setting up another important U.S. Senate race in Michigan.

Washington ― Gary Peters, Michigan’s senior senator and a former congressman, said he won’t seek reelection next year and will retire from the U.S. Senate when his second term ends in January 2027.

Democratic Michigan Senator Gary Peters has announced he will not seek a third term in 2026, giving Republicans a top target in a state likely to become a major midterm battleground. Peters, who won reelection in 2020 by a narrow margin of less than 2 points, surprised many with his decision.

Senator Gary Peters, a leading Democrat from Michigan, will not run for re-election in 2026. His decision comes as Republicans hold a Senate majority, creating a pivotal opportunity for Democrats. Peters has been influential in the Homeland Security Committee and championing automotive and postal reforms.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat, announced Tuesday morning he does not plan to run for a third term in 2026.

Peters, elected in 2014, will not seek reelection and will leave Congress after his term in the Senate expires in January 2027.

Mich., told the Detroit News in an interview released Tuesday that he would not be seeking re-election for his seat, which will likely set off an intense battle between Democrats and the GOP over the

Democrat Gary Peters' announcement means Michigan will have an open U.S. Senate seat for the second time in two years.

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 coveted by both parties.

Peters led the Democrats' Senate campaign efforts from 2021 to 2025 and helped the party hold control of the chamber in 2022 before Republicans flipped it last year.

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Midland Business Alliance and Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce are asking Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to call for a special election to fill the 35th District State Senate seat vacated by Sen.