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.
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Background
editMichigan 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
editCandidates
editPublicly expressed interest
edit- Sarah Anthony, state senator from the 21st district (2023–present)[7]
- Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025), former mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020), and candidate for president in 2020[8]
- Abdul El-Sayed, Wayne County Health Director (2023–present) and candidate for governor in 2018[9]
- Mallory McMorrow, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[10]
- Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General (2019–present)[11]
- Haley Stevens, U.S. representative for Michigan's 11th congressional district (2019–present)[9]
Potential
edit- Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)[12][9]
- Kristen McDonald Rivet, U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district (2025–present)[7]
- Hillary Scholten, U.S. representative for Michigan's 3rd congressional district (2023–present)[13]
- Rashida Tlaib, U.S. representative for Michigan's 12th congressional district (2019–present)[14]
- Matt Sahr, president of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union[7]
Declined
edit- Debbie Dingell, U.S. representative for Michigan's 6th congressional district (2015–present)[15]
- Gary Peters, incumbent U.S. senator (2015–present)[1]
- Shri Thanedar, U.S. representative for Michigan's 13th congressional district (2023–present)[13]
- Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan (2019–present)[13]
Republican primary
editCandidates
editPublicly expressed interest
edit- Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality and nominee for governor in 2022[16]
- Kevin Rinke, former car dealer and candidate for governor in 2022[17]
- Mike Rogers, former U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district (2001–2015) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[18]
Potential
edit- Brian Calley, former Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2011–2019)[19]
- Mike Cox, former Attorney General of Michigan (2003–2011)[20]
- Bill Huizenga, U.S. representative for Michigan's 4th congressional district (2011–present)[21]
- John James, U.S. representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district (2023–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020[14]
- Jonathan Lindsey, state senator from the 17th district (2023–present)[15]
- Ronna McDaniel, former chair of the Republican National Committee (2017–2024) and former chair of the Michigan Republican Party (2015–2017)[16]
- Peter Meijer, former U.S. representative for Michigan's 3rd congressional district (2021–2023)[19]
- John Moolenaar, U.S. representative for Michigan's 2nd congressional district (2015–present)[16]
- Aric Nesbitt, Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 20th district (2019–present) (currently running for governor)[22]
- Sandy Pensler, former Wayne County commissioner and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2024[7]
- Bryan Posthumus, majority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 90th district (2021–present)[7]
- Bill Schuette, former Attorney General of Michigan (2011–2019), nominee for U.S. Senate in 1990, and nominee for governor in 2018[7]
- Nikki Snyder, member of the Michigan State Board of Education (2017–present) and candidate for MI-08 in 2024[22]
- John Tuttle, vice chair of the New York Stock Exchange[7]
Declined
edit- Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts[23]
- Perry Johnson, businessman, disqualified candidate for governor in 2022, and candidate for president in 2024[15]
- Lisa McClain, U.S. representative for Michigan's 9th congressional district (2021–present)[16]
Endorsements
editMike Rogers (not declared)
- U.S. representatives
- Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1995–1999) from GA-06 (1979–1999)[23]
General election
editPredictions
edit| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[24] | Tossup | January 28, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[25] | Battleground | January 17, 2025 |
| 270toWin[26] | Tossup | January 9, 2025 |
References
edit- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Michigan Presidential Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ "Democrats lose trifecta in Michigan, hobbling Gov. Whitmer's agenda". AP News. November 6, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gans, Jared (November 28, 2024). "7 most competitive Senate races in 2026". The Hill. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Democratic Sen. Gary Peters won't run for re-election in battleground Michigan". NBC News. January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Burke, Melissa Nann; Mauger, Craig (February 3, 2025). "Gilchrist eyes governor bid, El-Sayed weighs Senate run". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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'
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Solender, Andrew (January 28, 2025). "Multiple House Democrats eyeing runs for Gary Peters' Senate seat". Axios. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b Bobic, Igor (January 28, 2025). "Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters To Retire In 2026". HuffPost. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Hermani, Jordyn (January 28, 2025). "Michigan faces new Senate battle as Gary Peters opts against reelection". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Peters Retirement Paves Way for Open Seat Bonanza". Cook Political Report. January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Interactive Map". 270toWin. Retrieved January 22, 2025.