Career Timeline of Gary Peters: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gary Peters made an impact.

Gary Peters is a U.S. Senator from Michigan, serving since 2015. A Democrat, he previously represented Michigan's 14th congressional district from 2009 to 2015. His district included the eastern half of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Southfield, and Pontiac. Before his political career, Peters was a lawyer and military officer.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1980: Assistant Vice President at Merrill Lynch

From 1980, Gary Peters worked as an assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch.

1989: Joined Paine Webber as Vice President

In 1989, Gary Peters joined Paine Webber as a vice president.

1990: Failed attempt to be elected

In 1990, Gary Peters had a failed attempt to be elected to the Michigan Senate.

1991: Served on the Rochester Hills City Council

From 1991, Gary Peters served on the Rochester Hills City Council.

1993: Served on the Rochester Hills City Council

In 1993, Gary Peters served on the Rochester Hills City Council.

1993: Joined United States Navy Reserve

In 1993, at age 34, Gary Peters joined the United States Navy Reserve.

November 1994: Elected to Michigan Senate

In November 1994, Gary Peters was elected to the Michigan Senate to represent the 14th district.

1995: Represented 14th district in Michigan Senate

From 1995, Gary Peters represented the 14th district in the Michigan Senate.

1998: Re-elected in Michigan Senate

In 1998, Gary Peters was re-elected in the Michigan Senate.

2002: Lost election for Attorney General

In 2002, Gary Peters lost the election for Attorney General to Mike Cox by about 5,200 votes.

2002: Stepped down as a Michigan Senator

In 2002, Gary Peters stepped down as a Michigan Senator due to state's term limits.

2002: Candidate for governor and Attorney General

In 2002, Gary Peters was a candidate for governor and later for Attorney General.

2002: Democratic nominee for Michigan Attorney General

In 2002, Gary Peters was the Democratic nominee for Michigan Attorney General, but narrowly lost to Mike Cox.

2003: Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery

In 2003, Gary Peters was appointed commissioner of the Michigan Lottery by Governor Jennifer Granholm.

2003: Appointed as Michigan Lottery commissioner

In 2003, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Gary Peters as the Michigan Lottery commissioner.

August 7, 2007: Announced run against Joe Knollenberg

On August 7, 2007, Gary Peters announced he would run against Joe Knollenberg in the 9th district and resigned as state lottery commissioner.

2007: Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at CMU

From 2007, Gary Peters served as the third Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University.

2008: Left the Navy Reserve

Gary Peters left the Reserve in 2008, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander.

2008: Resigned as Michigan Lottery commissioner

In 2008, Gary Peters resigned as commissioner of the Michigan Lottery to run for Congress.

2008: Served as the third Griffin Endowed Chair

In 2008, Gary Peters served as the third Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University.

January 2009: Sworn into first term

In January 2009, Gary Peters was sworn into his first term in office.

2009: U.S. Representative for Michigan's 14th congressional district

In 2009, Gary Peters became the U.S. representative for Michigan's 14th congressional district.

2009: Voted for the Affordable Care Act

In 2009, Gary Peters voted for the Affordable Care Act.

November 2010: Defeated multiple challengers

In November 2010, Gary Peters defeated challenges by Republican Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski, Libertarian Adam Goodman, Independent Bob Gray, Independent Matthew Kuofie, and Green Douglas Campbell.

September 2011: Opted to Run in the Newly Redrawn 14th District

In September 2011, Gary Peters opted to run in the newly redrawn 14th district after redistricting.

2011: Signed Letter to President Obama Supporting UNFPA

In 2011, Gary Peters was one of 118 House Democrats who signed a letter to President Obama urging him to support the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

August 2012: Defeated Clarke and Lawrence in Democratic Primary

In August 2012, Gary Peters defeated Hansen Clarke and Brenda Lawrence in the Democratic primary for the 14th district.

2013: Named Senior Whip for Democratic Caucus

In 2013, Gary Peters was named senior whip for the Democratic caucus.

2014: Ran for Senate Seat

In 2014, Gary Peters ran for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Carl Levin.

2014: Elected to United States Senate

In 2014, Gary Peters was elected to the United States Senate, succeeding Carl Levin. He defeated Terri Lynn Land in the general election.

2015: Junior U.S. Senator

From 2015, Gary Peters served as Michigan's junior U.S. senator.

2015: Became U.S. Senator from Michigan

In 2015, Gary Peters became the senior United States senator from Michigan, a seat he has held since then.

2015: Voted for the International Violence Against Women Act

In 2015, Gary Peters voted for the International Violence Against Women Act.

2016: Supported Chris Murphy gun control filibuster

In 2016, after the Orlando nightclub shooting, Gary Peters supported the Chris Murphy gun control filibuster.

2017: Cosponsored Bill on Foreign Investment

In 2017, Gary Peters cosponsored a bill to broaden the federal government's ability to prevent foreign purchases of U.S. firms by strengthening the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

2019: Introduced Background Check Expansion Act

In 2019, Gary Peters was one of 40 senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act, a bill that would require background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms.

November 2020: Re-election to the Senate

In November 2020, Gary Peters faced Republican nominee John E. James in the general election and was re-elected to the Senate by a smaller than expected margin of 1.7%.

2020: Reelected to Senate

In 2020, Gary Peters was reelected to the Senate, defeating John E. James in a close race.

January 28, 2021: Chair of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

On January 28, 2021, Gary Peters was selected as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2022 election cycle.

2022: Chair of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

In 2022, Gary Peters was the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

2023: Ranked Second for Bipartisanship

In 2023, The Lugar Center ranked Gary Peters second among senators for bipartisanship.

2024: Selected again for 2024 election cycle

Gary Peters was selected again for the 2024 election cycle to be the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

January 2025: Senior U.S. Senator

In January 2025, Gary Peters succeeded Debbie Stabenow as the state's senior U.S. senator.

January 28, 2025: Announcement of Not Seeking Reelection

On January 28, 2025, Gary Peters announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026.

March 5, 2025: Introduced Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025

On March 5, 2025, Gary Peters introduced S. 874, the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025, which aims to strengthen protections for federal contractors who report waste, fraud, or abuse.