While Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s Thursday retirement announcement came as a surprise, it took very little time for news outlets to report that several Michigan politicians from each party were eying the contest. On the Democratic side, the New York Times relays that Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who represents the competitive 7th District, “called allies in the state on Thursday saying she was preparing to announce her candidacy for the Senate as soon as next week.” Multiple publications also say that fellow Rep. Haley Stevens is considering the idea.
Another congresswoman, Debbie Dingell, told the Times she wanted to wait to see whom she’d back or if she’d even jump in herself. While Dingell didn’t indicate how interested she was in campaigning to succeed Stabenow, though, Politico says that she’s indeed “seriously considering” the idea. An unnamed source also tells NBC that Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist isn’t ruling out a campaign.
Meanwhile, newly-elected Rep. Shri Thanedar says he has “no plans” to seek a promotion, which may not be quite a no; a spokesperson for former Rep. Andy Levin, who lost last year’s primary to Stevens, said the same thing about his boss.
NBC and Politico have also named several other potential candidates as possibilities, though we’re still waiting to hear if any are thinking about it:
- Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
- State Sen. Mallory McMorrow
- Attorney General Dana Nessel
- Rep. Rashida Tlaib
In the no column are:
- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
- Rep. Dan Kildee
- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
For the Republicans, there was also immediate talk that John James, who came close to beating Sen. Gary Peters in 2020 two years after falling short against Stabenow, could wage a third bid for the Senate. James, who won an unexpectedly tight House race last year, didn’t dismiss the idea, saying, “Look, I haven’t even been sworn into Congress, yet! So here’s my plan: Get sworn in and get to work serving the people of Michigan’s 10th district.” Former Rep. Peter Meijer, who will not be getting sworn in, responded with a mere, “No comment” when asked about his interest.
Another possibility is Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, a former congresswoman who disappointed Republicans by turning down the chance to run for governor last cycle. Miller’s former chief of staff, though, says she is “seriously considering” a Senate bid.
There are also several people who did run for governor last time that could get in. A spokesperson for Tudor Dixon, who lost to Whitmer 54-44 last year after a disastrous campaign, tells the AP she isn’t ruling out a Senate bid. The Times, meanwhile, says that wealthy businessman Kevin Rinke, whom plenty of party members probably wish had beaten Dixon in last year’s primary, is telling allies he’s interested.
We could also see the return of real estate agent Ryan Kelley, who was arrested in June on misdemeanor charges related to his role in the Jan. 6 riot as he was running for governor. Kelley, who responded to his fourth-place primary showing by making evidence-free allegations against the state party and Dixon, said last year he was thinking about campaigning against Stabenow.
Media outlets also named plenty of other possibilities:
Inside Elections’ Nathan Gonzales also lists former Rep. Justin Amash, a Republican-turned independent-turned Libertarian, as a potential contender.