Sen. Gary Peters won't seek reelection in Michigan

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) announced on Tuesday that he will not seek reelection next year, dealing a blow to Democrats in a key battleground state. 

Peters made the decision official in an interview with The Detroit News, telling them that after two terms in the upper chamber and three additional ones in the House, he is ready to call it quits. 

“I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation. I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life,” Peters told the outlet.

The news has major ramifications on the 2026 map for Democrats, who will see the senior Michigan senator retire two cycles in a row after former Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) did so last year. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) narrowly carried her seat last year over former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.).