United States Senate election in Michigan, 2026
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← 2024
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| U.S. Senate, Michigan |
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| General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: April 21, 2026 |
| Primary: August 4, 2026 General: November 3, 2026 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times:
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Race ratings |
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Toss-up Sabato's Crystal Ball: Toss-up |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026 |
| See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th Michigan elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 |
Voters in Michigan will elect one member to the U.S. Senate in the general election on November 3, 2026. The election will fill the Class II Senate seat held by Gary Peters (D), who first took office in 2015.
Peters announced in January 2025 that he would not seek re-election, saying, "After three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, I believe now is time for me to write a few more paragraphs in my current chapter and then turn over the reins."[1] The Associated Press's Joey Cappelletti and Isabella Volmert wrote, "Having lost Michigan in the presidential race, Peters’ decision forces Democrats to defend a critical Senate seat in Michigan without the advantage of an incumbent, complicating their efforts to regain control of the chamber, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority."[1]
The 2024 Senate race in Michigan was decided by 0.3 percentage points, with Elissa Slotkin (D) defeating Mike Rogers (R) 48.6%-48.3%.
As of October 3, 2025, noteworthy declared and potential candidates included the following. Click here to view all of the candidates for the seat:
- Abdul El-Sayed (D), 2018 gubernatorial candidate (Declared)
- State Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D), who was elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018 (Declared)
- U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D), who was elected to the U.S. House in 2018 (Declared)
- U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R), who was elected to the U.S. House in 2000 (Declared)
El-Sayed, a doctor and former public health official, said, "It’s way too hard to survive here in the richest, most powerful country in the world and it should not be this hard to get by."[2] U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) endorsed El-Sayed, saying, "Abdul is a physician who understands that our current health care system is broken and wildly expensive. He understands that health care is a human right, which is why he supports Medicare for All."[2]
McMorrow told Politico in an interview, "I’ve built up my chops in the state legislature, but I’m not from Washington. I am an outsider who has built a name for myself or a perception of being able to cut through the noise and fight when we need to fight, and also work to deliver for people."[3]
Stevens said, "I’m running for Senate because just like that day I got these keys to that old Cutlass, we have the power to chart our own path. I’m proud of Michigan and I’ll never get tired of saying it. It would be my honor to fight for you in the Senate."[4] Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) endorsed Stevens.[5]
The Rogers campaign said, "'Show up and do the hard work.' That is the lesson that Mike’s parents taught him and his four brothers growing up in Livingston County — and it is the same lesson that he will live by as Michigan’s next U.S. senator. For too long, Michigan has been sold short by politicians who campaign as 'moderates' but govern as radical leftists. That ends today."[6] Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R) and National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Sen. Tim Scott (R) both endorsed Rogers.[6]
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R) announced on July 23, 2025, that he would not run for the seat.[7] He had written on X in April 2025, "With the filing deadline nearly a year away and Team Huizenga raising more than $925,000, I will continue to talk with voters and ask them who they believe is the best candidate for Republicans to nominate and elect to serve Michigan in the U.S. Senate."[8]
State Rep. Joseph Tate (D), who was elected to the Michigan House in 2018, dropped out of the race on August 8, 2025.[9]
The Detroit Free Press's Todd Spangler wrote that former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (D), who declined to run, "had been considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination for the seat."[10]
President Donald Trump (R) won the popular vote in Michigan 49.7%-48.3% in 2024. In 2020, Joe Biden (D) won the state's popular vote 50.6%-47.8%. Michigan's last Republican senator was Spencer Abraham, who left office in 2001.
To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.
Candidates and election results
Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:
- Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
- Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. Senate Michigan
The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. Senate Michigan on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Abdul El-Sayed (D) | |
 | Rachel Howard (D)  | |
 | Mallory McMorrow (D) | |
 | Haley Stevens (D) | |
| Travis Zollner (D) | ||
| Kent Benham (R) | ||
 | Frederick Heurtebise (R) | |
 | Andrew Kamal (R) | |
 | Mike Rogers (R) | |
| Genevieve Scott (R) | ||
 | TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated) | |
 | Lydia Christensen (Independent) | |
| Craig Henley Johnson (Independent) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joseph Tate (D)
- Gary Peters (D)
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Rachel Howard is a mother and step-mother of 4 sons and 2 dogs in a blended family. She was born and raised in Michigan, working as an EMT in Metro-Detroit before enlisting as a combat medic in the Michigan Army National Guard in 2005. Rachel deployed as a combat medic to Iraq and Afghanistan where she became 1 of less than 500 females to be awarded a Purple Heart. After he medical retirement in 2019, she went on to clinical research eventually choosing to continue her service at the Veterans Health Administration in Ann Arbor, MI. It was here that she joined a clinical and research team dedicated to helping veterans with deployment related respiratory illnesses. Rachel went on to resign from the VHA in 2026 after becoming frustrated at the lack of representation and actionable plans for Michiganders needs. Educationally, Rachel earned a bachelor's degree in allied health, a Master of Social Work in Leadership and Systems Change, and a Master of Public Health in Global Health."
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "My name is Andrew Kamal, and I previously ran for a District Seat as an independent candidate in 2021. Currently, I am campaigning as a Republican for a seat in the United States Senate representing Michigan. By nature, I am an entrepreneur, and I am also a researcher and engineer by profession. I have accumulated a diverse range of experiences in managing startups, and I aim to leverage these experiences to transform Michigan into a more efficient and self-sustaining state. Additionally, I am committed to running as an unequivocally staunch Pro-Life candidate and advocate for the abolition of the Income Tax in Michigan."
Party: Unaffiliated
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "My name is T.J. Stephens, and I am running with no party affiliation for the U.S. Senate representing Michigan. I am not a politician. I am a senior executive in the medical software industry with a diverse background that includes working as a volunteer firefighter, on an oil rig, and in real estate. My career in healthcare began after a frustrating personal battle with an insurance company at age 18, an experience that ignited my passion to fix broken systems and fight for consumers. I am running for office because I believe the two-party system is failing us. My allegiance is not to a political party, but to the people of Michigan. My core philosophy is rooted in direct representation and radical transparency, ensuring that the government is a tool for the people, not the other way around. I am dedicated to listening, not convincing, and my goal is to restore power to the individual and ensure every citizen has a direct voice in their governance."
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Michigan
Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
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Rachel Howard (D)
Improve the educational system: Rachel believes in focusing on grade-school education that prepares our children for the academic and practical aspects of life. Vocational and academic education after grade-school graduation needs to be accessible and affordable, ensuring we have the skilled labor needed to build our state as well as secure technological advantages for the future.
Support for Veterans: Advocating for veterans' benefits isn't just the right thing to do, it's also our duty. Almost 6% of Michiganders are veterans- they deserve access to quality Veterans Service Officers, Veterans Health Services, and telehealth measures to meet their needs when travel isn't practical.
Andrew Kamal (R)
It is essential to protect intellectual property rights within the United States and ensure that foreign entities do not exploit our existing systems to their advantage. Furthermore, we must eliminate foreign and special interests that conflict with our sovereignty, including those related to Israeli intelligence, while ensuring that the average citizen experiences transparency in government.
The State of Michigan ought to establish itself as a tax haven and eliminate income tax. This initiative would facilitate unprecedented economic growth and propel us towards becoming a self-sustaining and efficient State.
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
I believe the two-party system is the primary source of division and dysfunction in our government. My allegiance is not to a party platform or political donors, but directly to the people of Michigan. As a true independent, I will be an honest voice for our state, focused on finding commonsense solutions that benefit everyone, not just one side of the aisle.
Direct Representation for Every Citizen.
My job is to be a listener, not a politician. I am running to restore power to the individual by creating a system where every citizen's voice is heard and matters. I will work to ensure that the government is a tool for the people, not the other way around. My role is to represent your will and be a direct conduit for your concerns in Washington.
Radical Transparency and Accountability.
Rachel Howard (D)
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
Immigration Reform Government Accountability and Transparency
Supporting American Workers and Industries
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
She wasn't a politician or a CEO; she was a woman of incredible strength, integrity, and unconditional love. Throughout my life, especially during the most difficult times, she was the one person who always stood by me and believed in me without question.
Mimi embodied the values I believe are most important. She had a no-nonsense, commonsense way of looking at the world and a work ethic that never wavered. She taught me that you don't complain about problems, you work to fix them. She believed in personal responsibility, in treating everyone with respect, and in the simple but profound power of honesty.
Her example is the one I strive to follow. She taught me that your character is defined by how you treat people and that you should always stand up for what's right, even when it's hard. That's the principle I live by, and it's the kind of integrity I want to bring to the U.S. Senate. Her life is a constant reminder that the most important work is done not for praise or for power, but for the people you love and the community you serve.
Andrew Kamal (R)
Rachel Howard (D)
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
An elected official's word must be their bond. Integrity is the bedrock of public trust, meaning an official's actions align with their stated principles and the law, even when no one is watching. This includes transparency in their dealings and a willingness to be held accountable for their decisions. Without integrity, voters cannot have faith in their leaders or the democratic process.
Commitment to Service, Holding public office is an act of service, not a path to personal enrichment or power. The most effective officials are driven by a genuine desire to improve their communities and the lives of their constituents. This principle, often called public-spiritedness, means prioritizing the needs of the people over personal ambition or the demands of a political party.
Empathy and Understanding, To represent a diverse population, an official must have empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. They need to listen to different perspectives and appreciate the challenges faced by people from all walks of life. An empathetic leader makes more inclusive and compassionate decisions because they can see the human impact of public policy.
Courage and Principled Leadership, Elected officials often face immense pressure to make popular decisions rather than the right ones. Courage is the willingness to stand by one's principles and make difficult choices for the long-term good, even if they are politically risky. Principled leadership involves having a clear vision and the strength to pursue it, inspiring others to work toward a common goal.
Pragmatism and Sound Judgment,
Effective governance requires practical wisdom. Pragmatism is the ability to find workable solutions to complex problems, often through compromise and collaboration. Officials must exercise sound judgment, making decisions based on evidence, reason, and a deep understanding of the potential consequences, rather than ideology or emotion.
Rachel Howard (D)
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
The primary responsibility is to write, debate, and vote on federal laws that affect every American. This requires a deep understanding of complex issues and a commitment to creating policies that promote national security, economic prosperity, and individual liberty. As a senator for Michigan, this duty also involves ensuring that the unique needs of our state—from our manufacturing sector and auto industry to the health of the Great Lakes—are championed during the legislative process.
To Provide Oversight and Accountability A crucial part of the Senate's role as a co-equal branch of government is to conduct oversight of the executive branch. This means holding hearings, investigating waste and abuse, and ensuring that federal agencies are implementing laws as Congress intended. It is the Senate's job to ask tough questions and demand accountability to ensure the government remains transparent and works efficiently for the taxpayers. This includes the Senate's unique constitutional duty of "Advise and Consent" on presidential appointments, such as cabinet members and federal judges, and the ratification of international treaties.
To Serve as an Advocate for the People
Beyond the halls of Congress, a senator must be a tireless advocate and resource for the people of their state. This is the most important responsibility. It involves constituent services—helping individuals, families, and small businesses cut through federal red tape, access benefits they are entitled to, and resolve problems with government agencies. It means listening to the concerns of Michiganders in every community, from the U.P. to Detroit, and carrying their voices and stories into the national conversation.
Rachel Howard (D)
All of these stages of development, experiences, and personal reflection have led me to value a few things that I pray will be my legacy.
1. That the people I have known are better off for having me in their lives, to know that I have made someone's life even a little bit better.
2. To teach my children and those around me the value of humility, empathy, and understanding.
3. Finally, to be remembered as firm but fair, known for praising in public, lifting up those around me, working toward the common good.
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
My goal is not to be remembered for the bills I passed, but for fundamentally changing the relationship between the elected and the electorate. I want my legacy to be that of the senator who helped restore power to the individual citizen and proved that our system can work for everyone, not just the powerful.
I hope to be remembered as a fiercely independent voice who helped break the grip of the two-party system, proving that a leader's only allegiance should be to their constituents and their conscience. I want my time in office to be defined by pioneering new ways for citizens to be heard and have a meaningful voice in their own governance.
Ultimately, I hope people will look back and say, "T.J. Stephens was a man of his word. He listened more than he talked, he put people before politics, and he left our republic a little more honest and a little more in the hands of the people than he found it." That is the only legacy worth fighting for.
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
I was a freshman in high school in Texas, sitting in my first-period science class when the news broke. I remember a TVs being turned on, and the initial confusion as we watched smoke billowing from the North Tower, thinking it was a terrible accident. When the second plane hit the South Tower live on television, the entire room went silent. We all knew, in that instant, that this was a deliberate attack and the world had just fundamentally changed. We spent the rest of that surreal day watching the towers fall, seeing the images from the Pentagon, and hearing the heroic story of Flight 93.
For me, and I think for my entire generation, it was a profound loss of innocence. Our sense of safety was gone. But what I also remember, and what has stuck with me ever since, was the incredible sense of unity that swept the nation in the days and weeks that followed. For a brief time, we weren't Republicans or Democrats; we were just Americans. That memory of a unified country is a powerful reminder of what we are capable of when we put aside our divisions, and it's a spirit I believe we must strive to reclaim.
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
At the time, the book was making national news, and it was so controversial that it was actually pulled from my school's library shelves. That didn't sit right with me. I couldn't understand why adults would ban a book, so I decided I needed to read it for myself to understand what all the fuss was about.
I went to the public library, and because of my dyslexia, I checked out both the physical book and the audiobook. I spent weeks listening and following along with the words on the page.
That experience was about more than just magic and wizards; it taught me a valuable lesson that has become a core principle in my life: you should always question things and form your own opinions, rather than letting an authority figure tell you what to think or what you're allowed to read.
As for the controversy that started it all—I'm still trying to figure that part out.
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
Most people think of him as the character who "stole from the rich and gave to the poor," but the story is much deeper than that.
At its heart, Robin Hood's story isn't just about money; it's about fighting against a corrupt and unjust system. He saw that the government, led by the Sheriff of Nottingham, was using its power to enrich itself and its cronies while the common people suffered under heavy taxes and unfair laws.
He chose to live outside that broken system, not for personal gain, but to be a voice for those who had none. He built a community based on loyalty and a shared sense of justice.
That story resonates with me because I see a similar dynamic today. Our government has become disconnected from the people it's supposed to serve. It listens to powerful special interests and party insiders while everyday families struggle. Like Robin Hood, I believe we need a principled outsider to challenge that system and fight for a government that is fair and just for everyone. It's a timeless story about fighting for the underdog, and that's a fight I will always be proud to join.
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
In my late teens and early twenties, I was adrift. I bounced from construction to farming to working on an oil rig, all while making a series of poor choices that led to a legal record I am not proud of, which I have detailed publicly. I knew I was capable of more, but I didn't know how to get there, and that sense of frustration and aimlessness was a heavy burden.
The turning point came from a deeply frustrating personal experience with the healthcare system. For the first time, I saw a complex, broken system and felt a clear and undeniable call to try and fix it. It was the spark that gave me direction.
Channeling my energy into a career in healthcare gave me the purpose I had been missing. It took years of hard work to build a life and a career I could be proud of, but that struggle taught me a profound lesson: your past does not have to be your destiny. It taught me empathy for those who are still trying to find their way and a deep appreciation for the power of a second chance.
Rachel Howard (D)
Over the next decade we have real problems that will need to be addressed- out of proportion purchasing power that leaves citizens struggling to pay for necessities, lack of affordable housing, health care costs, declining populations, decrease in robust job markets.
None of this can be solved without a country that is united and resolved to solve these problems.
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
Unlike the House of Representatives, where representation is based on population, the Senate gives equal power to every state, with each electing two senators. This structure ensures that less populated states have a powerful voice in federal legislation. Senators serve six-year terms, which are three times longer than those of their House colleagues. This extended term is designed to insulate them from the pressures of short-term public opinion, allowing them to focus on long-term policy and act as a stabilizing, more deliberative force in Congress.
The Power of "Advise and Consent" The Senate holds the exclusive constitutional power to provide "Advise and Consent" on presidential nominations. This means it is solely responsible for confirming or rejecting key appointments, including: Supreme Court Justices and federal judges Cabinet Secretaries and agency heads Ambassadors and other high-ranking officials
This authority serves as a crucial check on the power of the President. Additionally, the Senate must ratify all international treaties with a two-thirds vote, giving it a direct role in shaping U.S. foreign policy.
Unique Rules and Procedures The Senate operates with rules that empower individual members and the minority party far more than in the House. The most famous of these is the filibuster, a procedural tactic that allows a senator (or group of senators) to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate. Ending a filibuster requires a cloture vote, which currently needs a supermajority of 60 senators. This rule effectively means that most major, controversial legislation needs bipartisan support to pass, forcing compromise and moderation.
A Continuous Body with Judicial Power
With staggered elections, the Senate is a continuous body, ensuring stability. It also holds the unique judicial power to act as the court in impeachment trials, with the authority to convict and remove federal officials from office
Rachel Howard (D)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
What I admire most is her profound courage and integrity in a moment of national crisis. In 1950, at the height of the Cold War, Senator Joseph McCarthy was rising to power by creating a climate of fear and division with baseless accusations. He was a powerful and feared figure within her own party.
As a freshman senator, Margaret Chase Smith risked her entire political career by taking to the Senate floor to deliver her famous "Declaration of Conscience." She denounced the tactics of fear, ignorance, and smear, stating that the nation was being debased by character assassination and that freedom of speech was being threatened. She did this not to gain politically, but because her conscience demanded it.
That act embodies the qualities I believe are most essential for a senator:
A fierce independence that places fealty to the Constitution above loyalty to a political party.
The courage to speak truth to power, especially when it is unpopular.
An unwavering commitment to the principles of decency and integrity.
She proved that a single senator, acting on principle, can change the course of history. That is the standard of public service I will hold myself to.
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
Andrew Kamal (R)
Rachel Howard (D)
Andrew Kamal (R)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
It's the story of people feeling completely invisible to their government. I've talked to autoworkers in Detroit, farmers in the Thumb, and small business owners in the Upper Peninsula, and the common thread that unites them is the deep and frustrating feeling that no one in Washington is actually listening to them or fighting for their interests.
They see a government that responds to lobbyists, party insiders, and corporate donors, but not to them. This isn't a Republican or a Democrat issue; it's an American issue. Hearing this same story of frustration from people of all backgrounds is what fuels my campaign and solidifies my belief that the system is fundamentally broken.
It is my hope that with my diverse background and my commitment to service, I can be a champion for every person who feels left behind. My mission is to show people how this job should be done—with compassion, empathy, and selflessness. The most memorable story is the collective voice of the unheard, and that is the voice I am running to represent.
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
That said, the accomplishment I value most is not a single event or an award, but a consistent, lifelong mission: to help people and solve problems. This has been the one constant throughout my life. Whether it was fighting fires as a volunteer, fixing houses for those in need, or now, working to solve complex challenges in the healthcare industry, my driving force has always been the same.
My core belief is that if someone comes to me with a problem, it becomes my mission to help them find a solution. It’s about leaving things better than I found them, one person and one problem at a time.
That is the same mindset I want to bring to the U.S. Senate. I don't see the office as a position of power, but as the ultimate opportunity to serve. The accomplishment I am truly seeking is a future where our government is once again a force for helping people.
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
TJ Stephens (Unaffiliated)
1. Secure and Accessible Voter Identification To ensure that every legal vote is counted and protected, I support a national standard for voter identification. However, the right to vote should be free and unencumbered. This provision would require the federal government to provide a free, secure, national voter ID card to every registered citizen who requests one. We would fund mobile and pop-up registration centers to ensure these IDs are easily accessible to all, including those in rural communities, the elderly, and low-income citizens.
2. Mandatory, Transparent Post-Election Audits
To eliminate suspicion and build confidence in election results, this provision would mandate that all states conduct statistically sound, hand-counted audits for all federal elections. These "risk-limiting audits" are the gold standard for verifying that the reported outcome is correct. The process would be fully transparent, conducted by bipartisan officials, and live-streamed for the public to observe. This is a simple, powerful way to prove the integrity of the vote.
3. Federal Protections for Election Workers
You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:
Campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul El-Sayed | Democratic Party | $1,797,545 | $697,347 | $1,100,198 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Rachel Howard | Democratic Party | $10,937 | $6,171 | $4,766 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Mallory McMorrow | Democratic Party | $2,145,452 | $1,318,539 | $826,913 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Haley Stevens | Democratic Party | $2,816,630 | $860,152 | $1,956,478 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Travis Zollner | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Kent Benham | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Frederick Heurtebise | Republican Party | $10,059 | $10,059 | $0 | As of May 3, 2025 |
| Andrew Kamal | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Mike Rogers | Republican Party | $1,176,572 | $309,502 | $1,121,802 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Genevieve Scott | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| TJ Stephens | Unaffiliated | $1,000 | $220 | $780 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Lydia Christensen | Independent | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Craig Henley Johnson | Independent | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
|
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
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Democratic-held Senate seat in state Trump won
This is one of two Senate seats Democrats are defending in states President Donald Trump (R) won in the 2024 presidential election:
- Georgia: Incumbent Jon Ossoff (D) is running for a second term. Trump won Georgia by 2 points in 2024.
- Michigan: Incumbent Gary Peters (D) is not running for a third term. Trump won Michigan by 1 point in 2024.
Republicans are defending one Senate seats in a state Kamala Harris (D) won in 2024.
General election race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[11]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[12][13][14]
| Race ratings: U.S. Senate election in Michigan, 2026 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| 10/7/2025 | 9/30/2025 | 9/23/2025 | 9/16/2025 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | |||||
| Decision Desk HQ and The Hill | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week. | |||||||||
Ballot access
This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.
Election history
The section below details election results for this state's U.S. Senate elections dating back to 2018.
2024
See also: United States Senate election in Michigan, 2024
General election
General election for U.S. Senate Michigan
The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Michigan on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Elissa Slotkin (D) | 48.6 | 2,712,686 |
| Mike Rogers (R) | 48.3 | 2,693,680 | |
 | Joseph Solis-Mullen (L) | 1.0 | 56,697 | |
 | Douglas P. Marsh (G) | 1.0 | 53,978 | |
 | Dave Stein (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 0.7 | 41,363 | |
 | Doug Dern (Natural Law Party) | 0.3 | 18,779 | |
 | Valerie Willis (U.S. Taxpayers Party) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 2 | |
| James Chapman (R) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 4 | ||
| Total votes: 5,577,190 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- James Frizzell (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Michigan
Elissa Slotkin defeated Hill Harper in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Michigan on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Elissa Slotkin | 76.3 | 712,791 |
 | Hill Harper | 23.7 | 221,053 | |
| Total votes: 933,844 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Pamela Pugh (D)
- Nasser Beydoun (D)
- Leslie Love (D)
- Zack Burns (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. Senate Michigan
Mike Rogers defeated Justin Amash, Sherry O'Donnell, and Sandy Pensler in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Michigan on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Rogers | 63.2 | 555,766 |
 | Justin Amash | 15.6 | 137,565 | |
 | Sherry O'Donnell | 12.1 | 106,466 | |
 | Sandy Pensler | 9.1 | 79,772 | |
| Total votes: 879,569 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- J.D. Wilson (R)
- Sharon Savage (R)
- Michael Hoover (R)
- Bensson Samuel (R)
- Alexandria Taylor (R)
- Peter Meijer (R)
- James Craig (R)
- Nikki Snyder (R)
- Rebekah Curran (R)
- Glenn Wilson (R)
Green convention
Green convention for U.S. Senate Michigan
Douglas P. Marsh advanced from the Green convention for U.S. Senate Michigan on June 15, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Douglas P. Marsh (G) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for U.S. Senate Michigan
Joseph Solis-Mullen advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. Senate Michigan on July 20, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Solis-Mullen (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Natural Law Party convention
Natural Law Party convention for U.S. Senate Michigan
Doug Dern advanced from the Natural Law Party convention for U.S. Senate Michigan on April 17, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Doug Dern (Natural Law Party) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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U.S. Taxpayers Party convention
U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for U.S. Senate Michigan
Dave Stein advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for U.S. Senate Michigan on July 27, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Dave Stein (U.S. Taxpayers Party) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2020
General election
General election for U.S. Senate Michigan
The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Michigan on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Gary Peters (D) | 49.9 | 2,734,568 |
 | John James (R) | 48.2 | 2,642,233 | |
| Valerie Willis (U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan) | 0.9 | 50,597 | |
 | Marcia Squier (G) | 0.7 | 39,217 | |
| Doug Dern (Natural Law Party) | 0.2 | 13,093 | |
 | Leonard Gadzinski (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 7 | |
 | Bob Carr (R) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 5 | |
| Total votes: 5,479,720 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Gregory Charles Jones (Other)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Michigan
Incumbent Gary Peters advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Michigan on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Peters | 100.0 | 1,180,780 |
| Total votes: 1,180,780 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. Senate Michigan
John James advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Michigan on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John James | 100.0 | 1,005,315 |
| Total votes: 1,005,315 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Bob Carr (R)
Green convention
Green convention for U.S. Senate Michigan
Marcia Squier advanced from the Green convention for U.S. Senate Michigan on June 20, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Marcia Squier (G) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Natural Law Party convention
Natural Law Party convention for U.S. Senate Michigan
Doug Dern advanced from the Natural Law Party convention for U.S. Senate Michigan on July 30, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Doug Dern (Natural Law Party) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan convention
U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan convention for U.S. Senate Michigan
Valerie Willis advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan convention for U.S. Senate Michigan on July 25, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Valerie Willis (U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for U.S. Senate Michigan
Incumbent Debbie Stabenow defeated John James, Marcia Squier, George Huffman III, and John Howard Wilhelm in the general election for U.S. Senate Michigan on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Debbie Stabenow (D) | 52.3 | 2,214,478 |
| John James (R) | 45.8 | 1,938,818 | |
| Marcia Squier (G) | 0.9 | 40,204 | |
| George Huffman III (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 0.6 | 27,251 | ||
 | John Howard Wilhelm (Natural Law Party) | 0.4 | 16,502 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 18 | ||
| Total votes: 4,237,271 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Election analysis
This section will contain facts and figures related to this state's elections when those are available.
See also
| Michigan | 2026 primaries | 2026 U.S. Congress elections |
|---|---|---|
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 |
 |
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Voting in Michigan Michigan elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 |
Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries |
U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Associated Press, "Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters will not run for reelection, opening a key Senate seat in 2026," January 28, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 MLive, "Former gubernatorial candidate El-Sayed joins Michigan’s 2026 U.S. Senate race," April 17, 2025
- ↑ Politico, "A Rising Democratic Star Is Ready for New Leadership — Without Chuck Schumer," March 25, 2025
- ↑ Politico, "Haley Stevens launches Senate bid in Michigan," April 22, 2025
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Nancy Pelosi backs Stevens for Senate in Michigan," May 22, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Detroit Free Press, "Mike Rogers makes it official, he's running again for Michigan's next open US Senate seat," April 14, 2025
- ↑ Axios, "Huizenga skips Michigan Senate race," July 23, 2025
- ↑ X, "Bill Huizenga on April 14, 2025," accessed April 14, 2025
- ↑ Michigan Advance, "Tate drops out of Michigan’s U.S. Senate race," August 8, 2025
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Pete Buttigieg decides against running for Michigan US senator or governor in 2026," March 13, 2025
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
