Gary Peters facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gary Peters
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Official portrait, 2018
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| Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Rand Paul |
| In office January 3, 2019 – February 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Claire McCaskill |
| Succeeded by | Rob Portman |
| Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee | |
| In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Ron Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Rand Paul |
| Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee | |
| In office January 28, 2021 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Leader | Chuck Schumer |
| Preceded by | Catherine Cortez Masto |
| Succeeded by | Kirsten Gillibrand |
| United States Senator from Michigan |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2015 Serving with Elissa Slotkin
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| Preceded by | Carl Levin |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan |
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| In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Knollenberg |
| Succeeded by | Brenda Lawrence |
| Constituency |
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| Member of the Michigan Senate from the 14th district |
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| In office January 3, 1995 – December 31, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Jon Cisky |
| Succeeded by | Gilda Jacobs |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gary Charles Peters
December 1, 1958 Pontiac, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Colleen Ochoa |
| Children | 3 |
| Education |
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| Military service | |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service | 1993–2008 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Unit | Naval Construction Battalion |
| Battles/wars |
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| Awards | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |
Gary Charles Peters (born December 1, 1958) is an American politician, lawyer, and former military officer. He is currently the senior U.S. Senator for Michigan. He has held this important role since 2015.
Before becoming a senator, Peters was a U.S. Representative for Michigan's 14th district from 2009 to 2015. This district included parts of Detroit and other cities. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Before joining Congress, Peters served in the United States Navy Reserve. He also worked as an investment advisor for 22 years. He was elected to the Rochester Hills City Council in 1991. From 1995 to 2002, he served in the Michigan Senate. Later, he was appointed commissioner of the Michigan Lottery from 2003 to 2008.
In 2014, Peters was elected to the U.S. Senate. He won the election to take over the seat from retiring Senator Carl Levin. He was reelected in 2020. Since January 2025, he has been Michigan's senior senator.
Early Life and Education
Gary Charles Peters was born on December 1, 1958, in Pontiac, Michigan. He grew up in Pontiac. His mother, Madeleine, was French, and his father, Herbert, was an American historian.
Peters finished high school at Rochester High School in 1976. He then went to Alma College, graduating in 1980 with a degree in political science. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Detroit in 1984. Peters continued his education, getting a law degree (Juris Doctor) and a Master of Arts in political science from Wayne State University. He also has a Master of Arts in philosophy from Michigan State University.
Military Service
Peters joined the United States Navy Reserve in 1993 when he was 34 years old. He served for over ten years. He was part of units at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
During his time in the Navy, Peters earned the Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist badge. He worked as an assistant supply officer. He served overseas in the Persian Gulf during Operation Southern Watch. He also served after the September 11 attacks. Peters reached the rank of lieutenant commander before leaving the Reserve in 2008. He received awards like the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Career in Business and Teaching
For 22 years, Peters worked as a financial advisor. He was an assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch and later a vice president at Paine Webber.
From 2007 to 2008, Peters was a special professor at Central Michigan University. He taught one class each semester. He also helped with student activities and created a journal about Michigan politics. Peters also taught finance at Wayne State University. He taught business courses at Oakland University.
He also worked as a policy and financial analyst for the Michigan Department of Treasury. He helped settle disagreements on arbitration panels for the New York Stock Exchange.
Serving in the Michigan Senate
Before joining the Michigan Senate, Peters served on the Rochester Hills City Council from 1991 to 1993.
State Senate Elections
After trying in 1990, Peters was elected to the Michigan Senate in November 1994. He represented the 14th district in Oakland County. This district was very diverse, with many different groups of people. It included cities like Pontiac and Southfield. Peters was reelected in 1998. He served until 2002, when he had to step down because of state term limits.
Key Actions in the Senate
His fellow Democratic senators chose Peters to lead their group. He was also a member of important commissions. Peters helped pass a bill that stopped new wells from being drilled under the Great Lakes. This was to protect the water, unless there was a state energy emergency.
Peters was the vice chairman of several Senate committees. These included the Finance, Education, and Judiciary Committees.
Statewide Roles
In 2002, Peters ran for Attorney General. He lost by a very small number of votes to Republican Mike Cox. The difference was only about 5,200 votes.
In 2003, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Peters as the Michigan Lottery commissioner. He held this position until 2008.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (2009–2015)
House Elections
2008 Election
In 2007, Peters announced he would run for Congress. He challenged eight-term Republican congressman Joe Knollenberg in Michigan's 9th district. Peters resigned as state lottery commissioner to focus on his campaign.
The 9th district was becoming more Democratic. Peters won the election on November 4, 2008. He received 52% of the votes. This made him the first Democrat to represent this district since 1933.
2010 and 2012 Elections
In November 2010, Peters won reelection in the 9th district. He defeated several challengers.
After the 2010 census, Michigan lost one congressional district. Peters's district was changed. In 2011, he decided to run in the newly drawn 14th district. This district included parts of Detroit and areas Peters had represented before. In the August 2012 Democratic primary, Peters won against two other candidates. He then won the general election with 82% of the vote.
Key Actions in the House
Peters began his first term in Congress in January 2009. He voted for important laws like the Recovery Act (which helped the economy) and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). He also supported the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which helps ensure fair pay.
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Peters worked with the Obama administration to help the auto industry. He helped get debt forgiveness for Chrysler. He was called "the single most effective person" in fighting to save Detroit's car companies.
Peters also spoke out about government spending. He formed a group with other Democrats to propose ways to cut spending. He said he was "frustrated with both Democratic leadership and Republicans" for not taking enough action. Peters supported the Occupy Wall Street movement. He said that problems on Wall Street had hurt the auto industry in Detroit. In 2013, Peters was named a senior whip for the Democratic group in the House.
Serving in the U.S. Senate (2015–Present)
Senate Elections
2014 Election
In 2014, Peters ran for the Senate seat that Senator Carl Levin was leaving. Both Senator Levin and Senator Debbie Stabenow supported Peters. This made him the main Democratic candidate.
Peters won the election against Republican Terri Lynn Land. He had a consistent lead in polls late in the campaign. He was the only new Democrat to win a Senate election in 2014.
2020 Election
Peters ran for reelection in November 2020. He faced Republican John E. James. Peters won the election, though by a smaller margin than expected.
Key Actions in the Senate
On January 6, 2021, Peters was at the U.S. Capitol when supporters of President Trump stormed the building. Peters and other senators had to be evacuated. He tweeted that the attacks were "dangerous, unacceptable and an attack on our democracy." Peters blamed Trump and called for him to be removed from office. He also called for investigations into how the Capitol was breached. He led this investigation as chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Committee Work
Senator Peters serves on several important committees in the Senate:
- Committee on Appropriations: This committee decides how the government spends money.
- Committee on Armed Services: This committee deals with military matters.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: This committee handles topics like transportation, technology, and science.
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Peters is the Chair of this committee, which focuses on keeping the country safe.
- Joint Economic Committee: This committee studies economic issues.
Political Views
Peters is known for working with members of both political parties. In one ranking, he was named the 17th most bipartisan (working with both parties) member of the U.S. Senate. He was the 4th most bipartisan Democrat. In March 2021, he was ranked the most effective senator in the 116th Congress (2019-2020), even though his party was in the minority.
Foreign Policy
Israel
In 2017, Peters supported a bill called the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. This bill would make it a federal crime to encourage boycotts against Israel.
China
In 2017, Peters was one of nine senators who supported a bill to make it harder for Chinese companies to buy U.S. tech companies. This bill would give the government more power to stop foreign purchases that could be a risk to national security.
Gun Control
Peters owns guns. In 2010, he had a D rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA). By 2020, his rating was an F, meaning he supports more gun control.
After the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Peters joined other senators in a filibuster (a long speech to delay a vote) to push for gun control. In 2019, he supported a bill to require background checks for all gun sales.
Health Care
As a candidate in 2020, Peters supported the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
Personal Life
Peters is married to Colleen Ochoa. They have three children and live in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. He is an Episcopalian and says his religion is important to him.
Peters enjoys riding motorcycles and takes annual motorcycle tours of Michigan. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His ancestor, William Garrett, served in the Revolutionary War with George Washington.
