Democratic Sen. Gary Peters won’t run for re-election in Michigan in 2026, creating a pivotal open Senate seat in one of the most tightly divided battleground states in the U.S.

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.

Former GOP Michigan congressman and senatorial candidate Mike Rogers could be back on the ballot in 2026, as the Republican is eyeing the race to replace Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). Only two months have passed since the 2024 election,