KALAMAZOO, Mich. — U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan) will not seek re-election in 2026, he announced on Tuesday morning.
Peters has represented Michigan in several capacities, starting as a state senator, eventually becoming a state representative, and most recently serving as a United States senator.
“My service in the congress has been the honor of my life,” Peters said in a YouTube video titled, ‘Thank You,’ announcing the decision.
Some of Peters’ most significant impacts in Michigan were his efforts to help the automotive industry and his work with homeland security.
John Clark, a political science professor at Western Michigan University, said Peters’ efforts made a major impact when the industry appeared to have little chance to recover.
“The economic impact was such that it wasn’t clear that there was a path forward,” Clark told News Channel 3. “I think now Senator Peters, then Representative Peters, sort of put that front and center on his agenda.”
Clark also said he is a bit shocked that Peters will not run again in 2026, considering that he is only 66 years old, which Clark considers young from a political perspective.
He added Peters would have had a great chance to win a third term in the U.S. Senate if he would have ran again.
“In some ways, it is a little bit of a surprise that he’s choosing to step down now, but as he said, he’s got other things he wants to do with his life,” Clark said. “More power to him.”
In the video, Peters said he is ready for the next chapter of his life.
“At this point in my life, I have been able to write many different chapters,” he said. “I look forward to the new ones with both anticipation and excitement.”
Clark said he does not anticipate that Peters’ stepping down was because of a potential run for governor.
It is unknown at this time who may be a candidate for Peters’ open seat, but Clark told News Channel 3 he expects that race to be hotly contested.
