Gary Peters

Gary Peters is a United States Senator from Michigan and a member of the Democratic Party. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Alma College, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy, a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School, and a Master of Arts in philosophy from Michigan State University. Before entering politics, Peters served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for over a decade, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander, and worked as a financial advisor for 22 years at firms including Merrill Lynch and Paine Webber. Peters began his political career on the Rochester Hills City Council in 1991, later serving in the Michigan State Senate from 1995 to 2002 and as the Michigan Lottery Commissioner from 2003 to 2008. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, representing Michigan's 9th and later 14th congressional districts. In 2014, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding retiring Senator Carl Levin. During his tenure, he has been recognized for his bipartisan legislative efforts and served as the Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2022 and 2024 election cycles. In the Senate, Peters chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and serves on the Armed Services, Appropriations, and Commerce, Science, and Transportation committees. His legislative focus has included protecting the Great Lakes, expanding apprenticeship opportunities for veterans, and strengthening national cybersecurity. In January 2025, Peters announced that he would not seek reelection to the Senate in 2026, intending to complete his current term ending in January 2027.

Senator Peters supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has advocated for legislation to lower prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices. On economic issues, he emphasizes support for the Michigan auto industry, investment in small businesses, and middle-class tax relief; he has also participated in bipartisan groups focused on deficit reduction and spending cuts. Regarding the environment, Peters is a prominent advocate for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and has supported measures to address PFAS contamination. His immigration stance includes support for securing both the northern and southern borders; in 2025, he was one of several Democrats who voted for the Laken Riley Act. Peters is a supporter of abortion access and has co-sponsored the Women's Health Protection Act. In foreign policy, he supports maintaining strong alliances through NATO and has worked on bipartisan initiatives to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign-sourced medical supplies from countries like China and India.