Gary Peters retiring from Senate seat in battleground Michigan

• The Detroit News broke the news Tuesday morning.

What he's saying: "I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation," Peters told reporter Melissa Nann Burke.

• "I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life," said Peters. He has been a senator since 2015.

Zoom out: Michigan is ripe with rising Democratic stars, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

• Buttigieg is already "taking a serious look" at running, a source close to him told Axios.
• Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist is also mulling a Senate bid, according to a person close to him.

The other side: But there's also likely to be much interest among Republicans, who narrowly lost the 2024 race for former Sen. Debbie Stabenow's open seat.

• "Gary Peters is reading the room," NRSC Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said in a statement. "Michigan is better off without him. We're committed to giving them a fighter that will stand with President Trump to restore the economic prosperity and security of our country."
• Top contenders are expected to be former NFL coach Tony Dungy, Reps. John James, Bill Huizenga and former Rep. Mike Rogers, according to one GOP national strategist.

Editor's note: The story has been updated with additional reporting.