Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the chairwoman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, announced that she will not run for re-election in 2024.
Stabenow’s announcement means that there will be an open seat race in the state’s 2024 Senate election.
“Inspired by a new generation of leaders, I have decided to pass the torch in the U.S. Senate. I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election and will leave the U.S. Senate at the end of my term on January 3, 2025,” Stabenow announced in a statement.
Inspired by a new generation of leaders, I have decided to pass the torch in the U.S. Senate. I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election and will leave the U.S. Senate at the end of my term on January 3, 2025.
Read my full statement:https://t.co/qYJE6lyRJ3 pic.twitter.com/Fq659Aevs0
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) January 5, 2023
“For the next two years, I am intensely focused on continuing this important work to improve the lives of Michiganders. This includes leading the passage of the next five-year Farm Bill which determines our nation’s food and agriculture policies,” she added.
Stabenow won re-election to a fourth term as senator in 2018 by 6.5 points. Republicans will seek to flip the seat but may face a strong challenge based on the 2022 midterm elections.
Michigan Democrats swept the state’s top offices in November, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defeating Republican challenger Tudor Dixon. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel also both defeated their Republican opponents.
Democrats also won majorities in the state House and Senate, marking the first time since 1983 that both chambers were held by the party, according to the Associated Press.
The state’s U.S. House members are currently split, with seven Democrats and seven Republicans. Michigan’s other senator, Gary Peters, is also a Democrat and has served in his role since 2015.
Democrats will defend 23 out of the 33 seats up for election in 2024, including the seats held by Independent Sens. Bernie Sanders (VT), Angus King (ME), and Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), while Republicans will only have to defend 10 seats. Sinema, formerly a Democrat, changed her party affiliation to independent back in December.
Stabenow was among Democratic candidates to receive political support from FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried. An aide to the senator stated in December that Stabenow planned to donate the $20,800 received from Bankman-Fried to a local charity following that announcement of his indictment.
After her retirement, Stabenow said she plans to stay involved in her state and focus on family.
“When my term ends, I intend to begin a new chapter in my life that includes continuing to serve our State outside of elected office while spending precious time with my amazing 96-year-old mom and my wonderful family,” she concluded.