On Jan. 28, current Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters announced that he will not be running for reelection in 2026.
Currently, Peters serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in the U.S. Senate.
Peters has had a long and fulfilling career in politics, priding himself in fighting for the protection of Michigan families.
“I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation,” Peters said.
Peters then expressed his sense of accomplishment for his work but also emphasized the need for him to step back from politics.
“I think this is pretty normal for everybody to say, I’ve done a job, and I’m proud of the job I did, but there are other things I want to do in my life. There are other ways that I can give back to the community,” Peters reflected.
With Republicans holding the majority of the Senate 53-47, both parties have expressed their interest in claiming Peters’s position as Michigan Senator.
While not officially confirmed, there has been growing speculation about potential candidates for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2026. A few Democratic candidates have publicly expressed interest, including former Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow.
While considering a run for Governor, former Transportation Secretary Buttigieg appears to be “taking a serious look” at running for Michigan’s Senate seat.
Democrat Haley Stevens, who has represented Oakland County since 2019 in Michigan District 11, has also been eyeing the opening. Stevens is known as a centrist Congresswoman and has gauged many Michiganders’ attention.
Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow also has intentions of running. McMorrow has gained influence from her feisty floor speech in 2022 reprimanding a Republican lawmaker that accused her of grooming children in her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
Additional Democrats have expressed interest in the race, including state Senator Sarah Anthony, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayid.
On the Republican side, Mike Rogers and Tudor Dixon have made it known of their inclination to run.
Mike Rogers, who received an endorsement from current President Trump, was unsuccessful in the extremely tight 2024 Senate race. Receiving various requests to run again after Peters announced his plans, Rogers expressed his plans on X.
“That’s why Kristi and I are strongly considering joining the fight once again — to be the ally that President Trump needs and the leader that Michigan deserves. Good news is coming soon,” Rogers said.
Tudor Dixon, a Conservative media figure and 2022 Gubernatorial candidate who was defeated by current governor Gretchen Whitmer, has also shown interest in vying for the Senate seat.
“This is an opportunity for a strong America First candidate who is going to help President Trump secure the border, bring down prices, and restore American manufacturing. I appreciate the outpouring of support and am considering our future very seriously,” Dixon said in a post on X.
Rep. John James, a GOP candidate who has previously run twice for US Senate, might run again. James is quite favorable amongst many Republican voters in Michigan. In a recent MIGOV poll, James garnered almost half of the votes for the GOP Primary for Governor.
Although he hasn’t publicly voiced his interest, James is one to look out for as candidates officially announce their intentions in the upcoming months.
Even though the election isn’t until November 2026, candidates are expected to launch their campaigns in the coming months and start connecting with voters to build support.
