Gary Peters

Gary Peters
Official portrait, 2018
United States Senator
from Michigan
Assumed office
January 3, 2015
Serving with Debbie Stabenow
Preceded byCarl Levin
Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee
Assumed office
February 3, 2021
Preceded byRon Johnson
Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Assumed office
January 28, 2021
LeaderChuck Schumer
Preceded byCatherine Cortez Masto
Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee
In office
January 3, 2019 – February 3, 2021
Preceded byClaire McCaskill
Succeeded byRob Portman
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan
In office
January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2015
Preceded byJoe Knollenberg
Succeeded byBrenda Lawrence
Constituency9th district (2009–2013)
14th district (2013–2015)
Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery
In office
April 9, 2003 – August 7, 2007
GovernorJennifer Granholm
Preceded byJim Kipp
Succeeded byScott Bowen
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 14th district
In office
January 3, 1995 – December 31, 2002
Preceded byJon Cisky
Succeeded byGilda Jacobs
Personal details
Born
Gary Charles Peters

(1958-12-01) December 1, 1958 (age 65)
Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseColleen Ochoa
Children3
EducationAlma College (BA)
University of Detroit (MBA)
Wayne State University (JD, MA)
Michigan State University (MA)
WebsiteSenate website
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1993–2008
RankLieutenant Commander
UnitSupply Officer
United States Navy Reserve
Battles/warsOperation Southern Watch
War on Terror
Awards

Gary Charles Peters Sr. (born December 1, 1958) is an American lawyer, politician, and former military officer serving as the junior United States senator from Michigan since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. representative for Michigan's 14th congressional district, which included the eastern half of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Southfield, and Pontiac, from 2009 to 2015 (the district was Michigan's 9th congressional district until 2013).

Before his election to Congress, Peters served in the United States Navy Reserve, spent 22 years as an investment advisor, and worked briefly in academia. He was elected to the Rochester Hills City Council in 1991 and represented the 14th district in the Michigan Senate from 1995 to 2002. He was the Democratic nominee for Michigan Attorney General in 2002, narrowly losing to Republican Mike Cox. He was then appointed commissioner of the Michigan Lottery by Governor Jennifer Granholm, serving from 2003 to 2008, when he resigned to successfully run for Congress.

In 2014, Peters was elected to the United States Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic incumbent Carl Levin.[1] He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican Terri Lynn Land in the general election. He was the only non-incumbent Democrat to win a Senate election in 2014.[2][3] Peters was reelected in 2020, defeating Republican challenger John E. James in a close race.[4]

On January 28, 2021, Peters was selected as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2022 election cycle.[5] He was later selected again for the 2024 cycle.[6] Peters will become Michigan's senior senator when Debbie Stabenow retires in January 2025.[7]

  1. ^ Weiner, Rachel; Blake, Aaron (March 8, 2013). "Sen. Carl Levin won't seek reelection in 2014". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  2. ^ Schouten, Fredreka (November 5, 2014). "Liberal billionaire pledges to stay in politics". USA Today. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  3. ^ Restuccia, Andrew (November 5, 2014). "Steyer, greens have rough night". Politico. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Ehley, Brianna (November 4, 2020). "Gary Peters wins reelection in Michigan". POLITICO.
  5. ^ Arkin, James (January 28, 2021). "Democrats tap Peters to lead DSCC in 2022". POLITICO. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Everett, Burgess (January 9, 2023). "Schumer taps Peters again as Senate campaign chief in hopes of 2022 repeat". POLITICO. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "Sen. Stabenow will not seek re-election in 2024". Upper Michigans Source. January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.

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