Michigan is facing a new Senate battle as Gary Peters has announced that he won’t seek re-election in 2026.

The 66 year-old Democrat made the announcement on Tuesday. Democrats have held both of the state’s Senate seats since 2001.

Former US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is one of the names already circulating as a possible candidate to replace him. Peters served three terms in the U.S. House before he was elected to the Senate. Peters most recently won re-election against John James in 2020, who now serves in the House of Representatives.

The Senator said in his statement that it’s time to “turn over the reins” to a new generation of public servants.