The decision by Michigan Sen. Gary Peters not to run for a third term set off a political earthquake, igniting buzz about who could get into the race.

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.

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - A surprising announcement from Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters on Tuesday. The Senator said after serving two terms in the Senate, he will not seek re-election in 2026. “It’s time for me to write a few more paragraphs in my current chapter and then turn over the reins,” said Sen. Gary Peters (D) Michigan.

Michigan Senator Gary Peters has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026. This decision opens a critical Senate seat in Michigan, a significant political battleground. Democrats face challenges defending this seat without an incumbent,

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.

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg of Traverse City is considering a bid for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026, two sources familiar with his thinking said

Multiple Michigan Democrats had identified Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pete Buttigieg as top possible Democratic contenders for the Gary Peters seat.

Jocelyn Benson announces her run for governor, the state House passes legislation to change the state’s tipped wage and sick time leave laws and state Senate Dems authorize a lawsuit to release bills from last year’s chaotic lame-duck legislative session.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is reportedly “taking a serious look” at running for U.S. Senate seat in the battleground state of Michigan in 2026, Axios writes. The seat will be available following the retirement of Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) at the end of his term. Trump won the state in 2024.

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 major political parties.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced this week he will not seek reelection, setting the stage for a potentially crowded 2026 race.