Gary Peters — Democrat Candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, 2026

Senator Gary Peters voted against a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, citing its lack of necessary reforms to immigration enforcement operations. He advocates for stronger guardrails and accountability, asserting that current enforcement practices are not protecting homeland security or making communities safer and are causing chaos and fear. Peters seeks to ensure federal agents abide by the same standards as local police, requiring measures like body cameras and clear identification.

“I will be voting no on the DHS funding bill because it lacks necessary reforms to immigration enforcement. DHS' current immigration enforcement operations are not protecting our homeland security or making American communities safer. They are causing chaos and fear. They are violating Americans' constitutional rights.”

Senator Gary Peters has consistently supported initiatives to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, citing healthcare as a fundamental right. He voted to enact the Affordable Care Act and has since worked to defend it, voting against a continuing resolution that failed to address rising healthcare costs. Peters also voted to extend critical ACA tax credits, aiming to lower healthcare costs and provide financial relief for Michiganders. He advocates for lowering prescription drug costs and protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions.

““Today, I voted to lower health care costs for Michiganders. The bill I voted for would extend the critical Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits that help millions of Americans afford their health care. Health care is a fundamental right, and I won’t stop fighting to make it more accessible and affordable for Michiganders.” - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), in a statement on voting to lower health care costs for Michiganders.”

Gary Peters prioritizes protecting the Great Lakes and addressing climate change, citing their importance to Michigan's culture, economy, and as a drinking water source for future generations. He has authored bipartisan measures to prevent oil spills and secured historic funding for Great Lakes cleanup and invasive species prevention. Peters also supports investing in clean energy job creation and resilient infrastructure, while opposing plans to develop sensitive ecosystems and fighting efforts to undermine key environmental laws. He secured funding for the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab and the Center of Expertise for Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in an appropriations bill.

Gary Peters believes a woman has a fundamental right to make decisions about her reproductive health with her doctor, free from political interference. He adamantly opposed the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision and champions the Women’s Health Protection Act. Peters also spoke out against efforts to ban mifepristone. He has shared personal experiences to emphasize the importance of allowing women to make medical decisions.

““After I shared my story ... it wasn’t just women that were reaching out to me,” he said. “It was men who said, ‘My wife went through, our family went through this very same thing. And people have to understand that these laws that are passed that prohibit a woman from doing what’s best based on consultation with her physician is really dangerous.’” - Gary Peters, NBC News, May 20, 2023”

Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Armed Services Committee, urged the Air Force to provide necessary resources for the timely arrival of the new F-15EX Fighter Mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. He also supported Senate passage of a bipartisan deal to fund government agencies, ensuring federal resources remain available for Michigan servicemembers.

““While we continue to negotiate DHS reforms like requiring body cameras and clear identification of federal law enforcement, I’m glad that we were able to pass funding for the remaining government agencies with bipartisan support. This means that federal resources for Michigan servicemembers, critical infrastructure projects, mental health services, and more will remain available to the Michiganders who count on them.” — U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Deal to Fund Government and Continue Negotiations on Needed DHS Reforms, 01.30.2026”

Senator Gary Peters helped pass the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. He secured $1 million for Detroit Public Schools' aerospace education, $985,000 for Eastern Michigan University's aviation program, and $606,000 for Northern Michigan University's cybersecurity education. Peters aims to strengthen Michigan's workforce training programs, helping residents obtain good-paying jobs, boost the state's economy, and support long-term growth.

““I was also proud to secure provisions in the bill that support Michigan workforce training programs to help Michiganders obtain good-paying jobs, boost our state’s economy, and support long-term growth.” — Senator Peters, peters.senate.gov, January 30, 2026”

Gary Peters supports a bipartisan gun safety framework aiming to reduce gun violence and improve school safety. He advocates for Senator Feinstein's Age 21 Act to raise the minimum age for purchasing assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Peters also supports a ban on military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, universal background checks like Senator Murphy's Background Check Expansion Act, and introduced his own Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking & Crime Prevention Act to criminalize gun trafficking.

“I am absolutely heartbroken over the senseless loss of life in Uvalde, Texas. These were children with their whole lives ahead of them and teachers who dedicated their lives to others. They should have all come home safely last night. [...] they are designed for one circumstance — to destroy an enemy in combat. They're not built for hunting. While I do support Senator Feinstein's bill, the Age 21 Act, which would raise the minimum age to purchase assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines from 18 to 21, my real hope is that we can have the sense to ban civilians' access to these weapons. I believe the Senate can work together to find common ground on both universal background checks and a ban on military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. I believe we should vote on Senator Murphy's Background Check Expansion Act so that we know where people stand, on the record. My federal anti-gun trafficking bill, the Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking & Crime Prevention Act, would make [...] Gun Trafficking & Crime Prevention Act, would make gun trafficking a federal crime to help keep guns off our streets and out of the hands of those who would not be allowed to buy them legally. I welcome and encourage debate between Republicans and Democrats on these commonsense bills in the weeks to come." - Gary Peters, PBS NewsHour, 'What action should be taken on guns, we asked every senator'”