The announcement by Sen. Gary Peters creates an open seat in battleground Michigan, which has flipped from red to blue to red again in the last three presidential elections.

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.

SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - Michigan U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026 on Tuesday, Jan. 28. “After three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, I believe now it’s time for me to write a few more paragraphs in my current chapter and then turn over the reins,” Peters said.

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

They will need to defend an open seat in a battleground state that President Trump carried in 2024. And Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ruled out a run.

Democratic Sen. Gary Peters won’t seek reelection in 2026, kicking off what could be a crowded primary to replace him in the battleground state of Michigan. Peters, 66, told The Detroit News that it is time for a “new chapter” that focuses on spending more time with his family.

Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters says he will not seek a third term in 2026, creating a highly contested battleground seat (AP video: Mike Householder)

The surprise decision Tuesday again complicates for Democrats in Michigan, who will be forced to defend an open seat in the battleground state for the second straight election cycle. 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.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was honored with the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award.

Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin said Trump didn’t follow the law when he removed 18 inspectors general last Friday.

Known for his bipartisan work in Senate and rated twice by the non-partisan Center for Effective Lawmaking as the most effective U.S. senator, Peters is a decent politician who has demonstrated he is not into the trappings of political power.