Peters Emerges As Option For MSU President

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/08/2026) Outgoing U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Oakland County) is emerging as a possibility for the soon-to-be open Michigan State University (MSU) president's position, sources tell MIRS.

MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz accepted the head job at Clemson University two weeks ago, citing tension with members of the MSU board as a reason for leaving. The departure, with roughly three years left on his contract, has MSU trustees scrambling to find a replacement, for the interim at least.

The names of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow have been mentioned, but both have made it clear they're not interested. Peters, however, has not sent the same signals, and may be a more attractive candidate anyway.

Asked about the Senator's possible interest in being the MSU president, his office released the following statement: "Senator Peters is focused on serving the people of Michigan in the U.S. Senate."

At age 67, Peters isn't a long-term option, but like former Gov. John Engler, may be able to serve for a year or two, make some tough, unpopular and needed decisions, and set the table for a long timer.

Remember, Peters was ranked as the most effective U.S. Senator in both the 116th and 117th Congress despite being in the minority both terms, according to the Center of Effective Lawmaking. Also, he did the same thing in the state senate for eight years, passing public acts from the minority.

With paying athletes, media rights, building a hotel on campus and DEI all hot issues, having a policy expert (as opposed to an academic) work through those issues over the next year or two makes sense.

Also, Peters is in the "senior statesman" stage of his career. He's leaving the U.S. Senate voluntarily at the end of the year because he's done with elected politics. He's literally a threat to no one politically. The board is 7-1 Democrat. Peters has a history of pulling Democrats (and Republicans) together.

He's not raising a flag and expecting all eight trustees and the staff to salute. He gets wonky issues passed.

Peters knows the players involved, he's friends with at least one trustee. He knows Michigan State. He's not coming into this brand new. The U.S. Senator also has at least four degrees, with one of them a master's from MSU. Plus, his family loves higher education. His wife, Colleen Ochoa Peters, is an Oakland University trustee.

Finally, he's run something before. Outside of serving as a Lieutenant Commander with the U.S. Navy Reserve, Peters was the Lottery Commissioner, managing a multi-billion enterprise from 2003-08.

Guskiewicz's contract states that if he wants to leave without a good reason, he must give MSU six-months' notice. It's difficult to see Michigan State forcing a lame duck president to stay until Christmas, but they could. Peters' term wraps up about then. Timing works.

If Guskiewicz had a good reason for leaving (which is debatable) he can give 30 days' notice. He could be gone by the end of the month.

Peters would need to resign from the U.S. Senate early to take the job. That's doable. The Governor could appoint the winner of the competitive Democratic primary to run from the office.

If the nominee isn't interested in the headstart, she could appoint a fill-in for the rest of the year.