Retiring Michigan Senator Urged Democratic Primary Candidates to Keep Race Civil

Retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) said the three Democrats competing to replace him in Michigan’s Senate race should keep their contest civil. In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Peters expressed concern that the candidates will get increasingly “chippy” with one another as the Aug.

4 primary draws closer. Holding the seat is viewed as important for Democrats seeking a Senate majority in the November elections. Republicans hold a 53-47 edge, and Michigan is one of the few states where Democrats are defending a seat following Peters’ retirement.

The primary has highlighted divisions within the party. Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health director backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), is competing against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), seen as the establishment choice, and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who is seeking support from both progressive and traditional Democrats.

The Democratic nominee will face Republican nominee-in-waiting Mike Rogers, who represented a Michigan district in the House from 2001 to 2015 and served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee in his final term. Rogers narrowly lost a 2024 Senate race to now-Sen.

Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) by 19,006 votes out of nearly 5.6 million cast. Peters, 67, advised the candidates against low blows even as no clear frontrunner has emerged less than three months before the primary. “Primaries aren’t necessarily bad,” Peters said.

” “Our hope is that it just doesn’t get too acrimonious. And unfortunately, a lot of primaries, especially if they’re close, get a little chippy at the end,” Peters said. ” Both Peters and Slotkin plan to remain neutral in the primary. Senate Republicans have said they are monitoring the Democratic contest, hoping the process leaves the eventual nominee weakened for the general election.

of Political Environment

Peters lost a close race for Michigan attorney general in 2002 by 5,200 votes out of more than 3 million cast. He later served as Michigan Lottery commissioner, won a state Senate seat in 2008, and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014. In 2020, he won reelection by 1.7 percentage points.

As a former chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Peters noted that contested primaries can drain resources and affect the nominee’s image, particularly with Michigan’s relatively late August primary date. “That’s a structural problem with Michigan,” Peters said.

” Peters expressed cautious optimism about Democratic prospects in the fall elections. He said the national environment favors his party, though significant time remains before November. “I wouldn’t have been as optimistic six months ago as I am now, looking at the dynamics,” Peters said.