Buttigieg is reportedly weighing a run for U.S. Senate in the seat that will be vacated by outgoing Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters.

The former Transportation Secretary is reportedly considering a run for one of Michigan’s U.S. Senate seats in 2026.

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.

Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters' retirement announcement on Tuesday generated speculation about which Democrats could run to replace him in next year's Senate race.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who led the Democrats’ Senate campaign efforts the past two election cycles, has announced he will not seek a third term in 2026, creating a highly contested battleground seat expected to be coveted by both major political parties.

President Donald Trump attacks former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at press conference. Buttigieg responds on X.

Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, leaving Congress at the end of his second term and opening up a highly competitive battleground Senate seat.

The surprise decision Tuesday again complicates for Democrats in Michigan, who will be forced to defend an open seat in the battleground state for the second straight election cycle. Peters led the Democrats' Senate campaign efforts from 2021 to 2025 and helped the party hold control of the chamber in 2022 before Republicans flipped it last year.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who led the Democrats’ Senate campaign efforts the past two election cycles, announced this week he will not seek a third term in 2026, creating a highly contested battleground seat expected to be coveted by both major political parties.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters announced this week he will not seek a third term in 2026. The surprise announcement poses a challenge for Michigan democrats.

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).