Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow could soon become the first Democrat to enter the 2026 U.S. Senate race to replace Sen. Gary Peters, who recently announced he won’t seek a third term.

A McMorrow spokesperson told The Associated Press the Royal Oak Democrat “is taking a very close look at how she can have the greatest impact for Michiganders,” while two people who have spoken with her confirmed her intent to run.

If accurate, McMorrow would be the first Democrat to enter the race, a rare second open seat for the U.S. Senate in as many years. Former Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeated former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers last year to fill the first open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan since 2015, when Peters replaced Democratic Sen. Carl Levin.

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Republicans currently hold what’s effectively a 53-47 majority in the upper chamber, and Peters’ exit provides an opportunity to expand that advantage.

McMorrow, 38, gained national attention in 2022 after defending her support for LGBTQ policies in a floor speech, which she leveraged to solicit donations from across the country. In 2022, McMorrow raised nearly $1.2 million, with 85% of the money flowing in from out of state, according to MLive.

McMorrow previously declined to run for last year’s open U.S. Senate seat, left vacant by the retirement of Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow after 24 years.

Stabenow defeated Republican U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham in 1994, the last time an incumbent Michigan senator did not win re-election. It was also the last time a Republican held a Michigan seat in the U.S. Senate.

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In November, Slotkin defeated Rogers in a highly competitive race by a mere 19,007 votes, or roughly three-tenths of a percentage point, signaling an opportunity for Republicans in 2026, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Rogers made it clear last week he’s considering trying again.

“Since receiving more votes than any other Republican candidate that has ever run for Senate in Michigan, the tremendous outpouring of support and encouragement I’ve received since November proves that our mission to send a real fighter to the US Senate has just begun,” Rogers said in a statement posted to X.

“That’s why Kristi and I are strongly considering joining the fight once again – to be the ally that President Trump needs and the leader Michigan deserves. Good news is coming soon.”

Others reportedly considering a run include former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Democratic former presidential contender who moved to his husband’s hometown of Traverse City about two years ago.

A source familiar with Buttigieg’s thinking told The Detroit News over the weekend the former mayor of South Bend, Ind. is “very seriously focused” on a potential senate run.

Stabenow has also said “a lot of people” are pushing for Buttigieg to enter the race.

“It could be a very large primary or a small primary. I don’t know. But I think it will probably be a spirited primary,” she told The News. “I think Pete is somebody that a lot of people will encourage to run.”

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, a fourth-term Democrat from Birmingham, told WHPS on Friday she’s also considering whether to enter the 2026 Senate contest.

“I can rightfully say I have a responsibility to look at it because I’m a federal lawmaker, and I’m a damn good federal lawmaker,” she said. “I get bills passed.”

U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, is also in “early (conversations) with state leaders and top donors who are interested in her running,” a source with direct knowledge of her plans told Axios.

Other Democrats reportedly considering a run to replace Peters include Abdul El-Dayed, a former gubernatorial candidate, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II of Detroit, who has $1.5 million in pledged support of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association if he mounts a campaign, according to The News.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is term limited, along with U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor; and Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit; have opted out of the race, as have U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Twp.; football coach Tony Dungy, and businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson, the news site reports.

Other potential Republican candidates include U.S. Reps. John James, of Shelby Twp., and Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, as well as Michigan state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater.

“I am humbled by the number of people who reached out today asking me to run for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2026,” Lindsey said last week.

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon is also considered a contender.

“This is an opportunity for a strong America First candidate who is going to help President Trump secure the border, bring down prices and restore American manufacturing,” Dixon posted to X. “I appreciate the outpouring of support and am considering our future very seriously.”

Many of the potential senate candidates, including McMorrow, Gilchrist, Dixon, Johnson and others, are also potential candidates to replace Whitmer in 2026.