Senate Dems Use ‘Jim Crow’ Filibuster Fourth Time To Block Major Bipartisan Bill
'A vote against commonsense'
Mike Rogers launches Senate campaign to replace retiring Democrat
Former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers (Mich.) announced Monday that he will once again be running for a Michigan U.S. Senate seat, this time to replace retiring Democrat Sen. Gary Peters in 2026.
Rogers was previously the Republican nominee in the 2024 race to replace now-retired Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan. Although Republicans managed to flip four Senate seats in the 2024 election cycle, Rogers narrowly lost to his Democratic challenger, now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin.
Similar to Rogers' first Senate bid, the Michigan race is expected to be one of the most contested. As of now, Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow is the only Democratic candidate in the running. Notably, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg clarified that he would not be running to replace Peters.
'Michigan is a battleground state, and with Mike as our candidate, I know we will add his seat to president Trump's Senate majority in 2026.'
"President Trump needs strong allies in the Senate to help him deliver on the mandate given by the American people," Rogers said. "That means bringing manufacturing jobs back to Michigan, protecting seniors’ Social Security, lowering the costs of gas, groceries, and prescription drugs, and setting our kids up for success by improving the quality of their education. Michigan, let’s get to work."
Although Democrats have had a steady winning streak in Michigan's Senate seats in past cycles, the swing state's mixed electorate makes for another pickup opportunity that Republicans have set their sights on. Rogers has also maintained support from senior Republican senators, strengthening his bid for the seat.
"Michigan is a battleground state, and with Mike as our candidate, I know we will add his seat to president Trump's Senate majority in 2026," NRSC Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said in a statement.
"Mike Rogers is the conservative leader that Michigan needs in the U.S. Senate," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said in a statement. "As an Army veteran and former special agent, Mike understands the importance of putting service before self. We need him in the U.S. Senate to help achieve President Trump's America First agenda and to bring manufacturing and good-paying jobs back to Michigan."
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Republicans presented with Senate pickup opportunity as Democrat announces retirement
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire announced Wednesday that she would not seek re-election in 2026, giving Republicans another opportunity to grow their Senate majority.
Shaheen has served in the Senate since 2009, flipping the previously red seat blue. Shaheen had also previously served as governor and in the state Senate.
'New Hampshire has a proud tradition of electing common-sense Republicans—and will do so again in 2026!'
"Today, after careful consideration, I'm announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election to the Senate in 2026," Shaheen said in a statement Wednesday. "There are urgent challenges ahead, both here at home and around the world. And while I'm not seeking re-election — believe me — I am not retiring."
Although both Senate seats have been held by Democrats for the last few elections, New Hampshire has elected Republican governors since 2016, and Republicans have held on to a majority in the state Senate. Given the strong Republican voting presence in the state, the GOP has the opportunity to flip another key Senate seat.
"Another one!" Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said in a statement Wednesday. "Shaheen's retirement is welcome news for Granite Staters eager for new leadership. New Hampshire has a proud tradition of electing common-sense Republicans—and will do so again in 2026!"
Republicans flipped four Democrat-held Senate seats in 2024, electing Republican Sens. Tim Sheehy of Montana, Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, Bernie Moreno of Ohio, and Jim Justice of West Virginia. This leaves Republicans with a comfortable 53-seat majority to work with.
There has also been some speculation about a potential senatorial run by Republican former Gov. Chris Sununu. Although Sununu has been a past critic of President Donald Trump, he has since warmed up to the party leader and even endorsed him in 2024.
“I have not ruled it out completely, but folks in Washington have asked me to think about it and to consider it, and that is just kind of where I am,” Sununu told the New Hampshire Journal on Tuesday.
“I like getting stuff done,” Sununu said. “I don’t think they could handle me down there. I’d be like a lion in a cage.”
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Swing-state Dem senator announces he will not run for re-election
Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan announced Tuesday that he will not run for re-election in 2026.
Peters was first elected to serve in the House in 2008 and was eventually elected to the Senate in 2014. After serving two terms in the Senate, Peters said he would like to "go back to private life."
'After spending years ignoring illegal immigration and destroying his state's auto industry, Michigan is better off without him.'
With the anticipated vacancy, political heavyweights like former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg have already expressed interest in the Senate seat. At the same time, Michigan's mixed electorate could also give Republicans the opportunity to boost their Senate majority.
“I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation," Peters said in an interview Tuesday. "I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life."
“And that goes back to 2008, when I first won that House seat," Peters added. "I thought it would be for a matter of a few terms that I would serve, and then I would go back to private life.”
With Democrats potentially losing a seat in the Senate, Republicans are keen to take advantage of the upcoming vacancy.
"Gary Peters is reading the room," Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the NRSC chairman, said in a press release. "After spending years ignoring illegal immigration and destroying his state's auto industry, Michigan is better off without him."
"We're committed to giving them a fighter that will stand with President Trump to restore the economic prosperity and security of our country," Scott added.
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How Tim Scott plans to capitalize on GOP Senate gains
Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina announced that he is running to chair the National Republican Senatorial Committee that serves as the Senate GOP's campaign arm.
Scott, who has been a longtime ally to President-elect Donald Trump, was rumored to be eyeing the position last month, confirming his ambitions in a statement Friday. Scott's announcement follows the GOP's Senate sweep where Republicans flipped seats in Montana, West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
"Let's do this!" Scott said in a statement. "I'm running for NRSC Chair because two years of a Republican agenda is good, but four years of success under Donald J. Trump is even better."
'Tim's inspiring message, record of fundraising and vision for the party makes him the perfect partner for President Trump.'
"That means the entire four years of his presidency will create low inflation, secure borders and safe streets, leading to a generation of American prosperity!" Scott continued. "With Donald J. Trump in the White House and Republicans leading the U.S. Senate, we will protect our majority in 2026 and create opportunities for all Americans."
Scott, who had presidential ambitions this cycle, also received some high-profile endorsements alongside his announcement, including current NRSC chairman Sen. Steve Daines of Montana.
"We took back the U.S. Senate in 2024, and there is no one I trust more to protect the majority in 2026 than Tim Scott," Daines said in a statement.
Scott was also backed by Republican colleagues like Senate GOP Conference Chairman John Barrasso and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
"Tim's inspiring message, record of fundraising and vision for the party makes him the perfect partner for President Trump," Barasso said. "Together, they will protect and grow the Republican majority. There's nobody better than Tim Scott."
"Protecting the majority and growing the party starts with a vision and the resources to compete anywhere," Rubio said. "That is why I'm confident in Tim leading the NRSC in 2026."
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