Sen. Gary Peters's decision to retire will affect control of the Senate, presidential aspirants and the rise or fall of other notable figures in Michigan politics.

Sen. Gary Peters surprise departure means back-to-back open Senate seats for Michigan but this one could be a much different kind of election.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, of Michigan, announced Tuesday that he will not run for a third six-year term in 2026 leaving an open Senate seat.

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 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.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters says he thinks it’s time to turn over the reins so he won’t be seeking a third term in 2026

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 next year’s Senate race in the Great Lakes State was going to be fierce,