


In the 2020 Senate race for MI Senate seat, Gary C. Peters (D) won with 49.9% of the vote, defeating John James (R) who received 48.2%. 5 additional candidates split the remaining vote. The 1.7-point margin made this one of the more competitive races of the cycle.
This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Debbie Stabenow (D) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. Given the narrow margin, this seat is likely to remain competitive and attract heavy investment in the next cycle.
In the 2014 Senate race for MI Senate seat, Gary C. Peters (D) won with 54.6% of the vote, defeating Terri Lynn Land (R) who received 41.3%. 3 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Gary C. Peters's 13.3-point lead over the runner-up showed solid but not overwhelming support.
This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Debbie Stabenow (D) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Democrat, Gary C. Peters won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Obama was in office).
In the 2012 House race for MI-14, Gary C. Peters (D) won with 82.3% of the vote, defeating John Hauler (R) who received 15.6%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Gary C. Peters's 66.6-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.
This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.