2026 United States Senate election in Michigan

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2026 United States Senate election in Michigan
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Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent U.S. senator

Gary Peters
Democratic



The 2026 United States Senate election in Michigan will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic Senator Gary Peters declined to seek re-election to a third term. [1] Peters was first elected with 54.6% of the vote in 2014, and re-elected with 49.9% of the vote in 2020. Along with Georgia, this is one of two Democratic-held Senate seats up for election in a state that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election.

Contents

Background

Michigan is considered to be a purple state at the federal and state level. It was also a top battleground state in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. The state backed Joe Biden by 2.8% and Donald Trump by 1.4%, respectively. [2]

Both parties have seen success in the state in recent years. Democrats control both of Michigan's U.S. Senate seats, all statewide executive offices, and the state senate. However, Republicans control the Michigan House of Representatives and hold a majority in Michigan's U.S. House delegation. [3] Republicans have not won a Michigan U.S. Senate race since 1994 and have not won this seat since 1972. [4]

As one of only two seats up held by a Democrat in a state that voted for Trump in 2024, Michigan is considered a key Senate battleground in 2026. [5] [6]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Endorsements

Mike Rogers (not declared)
U.S. representatives

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [24] TossupJanuary 28, 2025
Inside Elections [25] BattlegroundJanuary 17, 2025
270toWin [26] TossupJanuary 9, 2025

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References

  1. 1 2 Burke, Melissa Nann (January 28, 2025). "Michigan's Gary Peters won't seek reelection to U.S. Senate. Here's why". The Detroit News . Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Michigan Presidential Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Democrats lose trifecta in Michigan, hobbling Gov. Whitmer's agenda". AP News. November 6, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  4. ↑ Spangler, Todd (January 28, 2025). "Michigan's Gary Peters won't run for US Senate reelection next year". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ Gans, Jared (November 28, 2024). "7 most competitive Senate races in 2026". The Hill . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Democratic Sen. Gary Peters won't run for re-election in battleground Michigan". NBC News. January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mutnick, Ally; Schneider, Elena; Wu, Nicholas; Crampton, Liz (January 28, 2025). "Open Senate seat puts Democrats on defense in Michigan". Politico . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  8. ↑ Wright, David (January 28, 2025). "Democratic Sen. Gary Peters not running for reelection, opening up battleground Michigan seat in 2026". CNN . Retrieved January 29, 2025. 'Pete is...honored to be mentioned for this and he's taking a serious look,' Chris Meagher, a Buttigieg spokesperson, told CNN.
  9. 1 2 3 Burke, Melissa Nann; Mauger, Craig (February 3, 2025). "Gilchrist eyes governor bid, El-Sayed weighs Senate run". The Detroit News . Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  10. ↑ Volmert, Isabella; Cappelletti, Joey (February 3, 2025). "Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow preparing to enter US Senate race in Michigan, AP sources say". Associated Press . Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Top of the Hour". National Journal . February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025. Nessel spokesperson Kimberly Rush told Hotline that the attorney general...'is exploring the open U.S. Senate seat'
  12. ↑ Wright, David (January 28, 2025). "Democratic Sen. Gary Peters not running for reelection, opening up battleground Michigan seat in 2026". CNN . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 Solender, Andrew (January 28, 2025). "Multiple House Democrats eyeing runs for Gary Peters' Senate seat". Axios . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Bobic, Igor (January 28, 2025). "Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters To Retire In 2026". HuffPost . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 Burke, Melissa Nann; Mauger, Craig (January 28, 2025). "Here's who could run for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026 ― and who's already out". The Detroit News . Retrieved January 28, 2025– via Killeen Daily Herald.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Kamisar, Ben; Gomez, Henry J. (January 28, 2025). "Democratic Sen. Gary Peters won't run for re-election in battleground Michigan". NBC News . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  17. ↑ Glueck, Katie; Goldmacher, Shane (January 29, 2025). "Pete Buttigieg Considers Michigan's 2026 Senate Race". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  18. ↑ Cappelletti, Joey; Beaumont, Thomas (January 30, 2025). "Republican Mike Rogers to again run for Senate in Michigan, AP sources say". Associated Press . Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  19. 1 2 Hermani, Jordyn (January 28, 2025). "Michigan faces new Senate battle as Gary Peters opts against reelection". Bridge Michigan . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Political Pundit: Michigan Sen. Peters' Decision Not to Run in 2026 Opens Door for Possible Whitmer Bid For Senate". Deadline Detroit. January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  21. ↑ Goldmacher, Shane (January 28, 2025). "Senator Gary Peters, Michigan Democrat, Says He Won't Run Again in 2026". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  22. 1 2 JJ Curry, Ebony (January 28, 2025). "Gary Peters Steps Aside: Michigan Braces for a Defining 2026 Senate Race". The Michigan Chronicle. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Burke, Melissa Nann (January 30, 2025). "Tony Dungy spikes U.S. Senate campaign speculation, Mike Rogers 'considering' another bid". The Detroit News . Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Peters Retirement Paves Way for Open Seat Bonanza". Cook Political Report. January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  26. ↑ "2026 Senate Interactive Map". 270toWin. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
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