Wed Mar 05 04:10:00 UTC 2025: **Buttigieg Considers Michigan Senate Run; 2026 Senate Races Shape Up**

**Washington, D.C.** – Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is reportedly considering a run for the U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2026, following Senator Gary Peters’ announcement that he will not seek re-election. A source confirmed to Fox News Digital that Buttigieg met with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last week to discuss the possibility. While Schumer’s office declined to comment, the meeting suggests Buttigieg is seriously exploring a Senate bid in the key swing state.

The potential candidacy of Buttigieg, a rising star in the Democratic party, adds significant intrigue to an already competitive race. Other potential Democratic candidates include state Senator Mallory McMorrow, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Representative Haley Stevens.

On the Republican side, former Representative Mike Rogers is already actively considering a second Senate run. He narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in the 2024 election. Other potential GOP candidates include Representatives John James and Bill Huizenga. The Cook Political Report currently lists the race as a toss-up.

The 2026 Senate landscape is shaping up to be highly contested. Republicans, currently holding a 53-47 Senate majority, are eyeing opportunities in Georgia (Senator Jon Ossoff), New Hampshire (Senator Jeanne Shaheen), and Minnesota (following Senator Tina Smith’s retirement announcement). However, they also face defensive battles in Maine (Senator Susan Collins) and North Carolina (Senator Thom Tillis). Democrats, meanwhile, are targeting Ohio, where Republican Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted will run for the remainder of Senator JD Vance’s term.

The Michigan Senate race, with its potential for high-profile candidates on both sides, is set to be a crucial battleground in the 2026 midterm elections.

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