Mr.Gary Peters wins reelection in Michigan U.S. Senate race

 U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, fended off Republican challenger John James in one of the most closely-watched Senate races across the country.

The race was called by the Associated Press at 9:15 p.m.. Peters won by 59,980 votes, ahead of Republican challenger John James 49.6% to 48.5%.

Peters celebrated surviving a competitive challenge from James, who held an early lead that dwindled as votes were counted throughout Wednesday. James could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening, though his campaign Twitter account shared a statement from campaign adviser Stu Sandler that claimed James won.

“I am sincerely honored that the voters of Michigan have once again put their trust and confidence in me to represent them in the United States Senate," Peters said in a statement. "As we look ahead, I am energized to keep working to move our state forward and continue putting Michigan first. Most of all, I want to extend my gratitude for all of our hardworking election officials and every single person who believed in me, who believed in our mission and volunteered their time and efforts into fighting for a better future.”

Peters held an advantage in polls leading up to the election and was favored by political handicappers who predicted the Democratic senator would come out on top. James, a 39-year-old businessman and Iraq war veteran, still put together a well-funded campaign that forced Peters to take him seriously until the very end of the election.

Michigan’s Senate race is one of two Democrat-controlled seats in states won by President Donald Trump in 2016, and a top target for Republicans seeking to keep their majority in the Senate. The Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan watchdog group, found the Peters-James race is the most expensive election in Michigan’s history.

Peters raised $40.6 million, according to the most recent campaign finance statements available, while James raised more than $37.2 million. Millions of dollars in spending from outside groups also poured into the race, and MCFN estimated last week that more than $130 million will be spent on broadcast ads alone.

Spending on the 2020 Senate race outpaced the $93.4 million spent on Michigan’s 2018 gubernatorial race and vastly eclipses the $40 million spent on the race between James and Stabenow that same year. James only raised $12.5 million in his first run against Stabenow.

Peters benefitted from a surge in turnout from Michigan  during a historic election year. He appeared at campaign events with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, joining her for an Election Day campaign swing through Detroit and Southfield.

Peters was first elected to the Senate in 2014. He beat Republican Terri Lynn Land by 13 percentage points. Peters is a retired member of the U.S. Navy Reserve and serves on committees overseeing the military, homeland security, governmental affairs and others. Resource from here.