Sen. Gary Peters

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D Michigan (2015-) In Office

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Biographical

Full Name: Gary Charles Peters Sr.
Gender: Male
Pronunciation: GAIR-ree PEE-turz
Date of Birth: Dec. 1, 1958 (age: 65)
Place of Birth: Pontiac, Mich.
Religion: Episcopalian
Hometown: Pontiac, Mich.
Place of Residence: Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Occupation: Financial adviser

Wikipedia

Family:

Married: Colleen Ochoa Peters nonprofit management

3 children: Gary, Jr., Madeleine, Alana

Biography:

First elected in 2014, Senator Gary Peters is honored to represent the State of Michigan in the U.S. Senate. Throughout his career in public service, Gary has been a strong, independent voice for Michigan’s families and small businesses. He has focused on uniting our communities by fighting for the things that we all agree on — a stronger economy, good-paying jobs, affordable health care, a secure retirement and a fair chance for everyone to succeed.

In the U.S. Senate, Gary’s top priority is to continue supporting job creation and economic growth to strengthen Michigan small businesses and our middle class. He is committed to working with members of both parties to find commonsense, practical and bipartisan solutions to the challe nges facing Michigan and our nation.

Gary is a product of Michigan schools. He graduated from Rochester High School and went on to Alma College where he earned a B.A. in political science. After graduation, while working a full-time job and raising a family, he went on to earn an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Detroit Mercy, a law degree from Wayne State University Law School and an M.A. in philosophy from Michigan State University with a focus on the ethics of development.

Gary was born in Pontiac, Michigan and has lived his entire life in Oakland County. His father, a World War II veteran, worked as a public school teacher for more than 30 years. His mother worked as a nurse’s aide at a local nursing home, where she helped organize her workplace and became an SEIU union steward. Growing up, Gary learned the importance of hard work and fairness from his parents. He started his own small business delivering newspapers at age 11. In junior high, he bused tables at a Big Boy restaurant, and in high school and college, he worked at a local retailer.

For more than 20 years, Gary worked as an investment adviser, helping families save for their retirement and provide for their children’s college education. However, he always felt the need to serve and give back to his community.

Gary volunteered for the U.S. Navy Reserve at age 34, where he earned a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist designation and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander. After the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country, he volunteered again for drilling status.

First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, with the country facing unprecedented economic challenges, Gary fought alongside Michigan workers to ensure the survival of our local auto industry. Today, Michigan's auto industry is strong and thousands of new jobs have been created in the state.
Gary began his public service as a Rochester Hills City Councilman in 1991. In 1994, he was elected to the Michigan State Senate, where he had more bills signed into law than any other member of his party. Gary later served as the Michigan State Lottery Commissioner, where he generated a record amount of funding for our public schools.

In Congress, Gary has drawn on his business background to make Washington more transparent and accountable. He is leading efforts to eliminate wasteful, duplicative and unnecessary spending, and he is continually working to responsibly reduce the deficit. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Gary worked to hold bad actors on Wall Street accountable. Selected to serve on the Wall Street Reform Conference Committee, Peters played a central role in shaping the toughest financial reform law since the Great Depression. This landmark legislation eliminates future taxpayer-funded bailouts, bans the irresponsible behavior on Wall Street that caused the recession and provides commonsense financial protections for regular Americans.

Gary and his wife, Colleen, live in Oakland County and have three children: Gary Jr., Madeleine and Alana. See more >>

Miscellaneous Links:

Ballotpedia

C-SPAN

GovTrack

Project VoteSmart

Campaign Links:

Website, campaign

Email, campaign: info@petersformichigan.com

X (Twitter), campaign

Instagram, campaign

Facebook, campaign

Open Secrets political finance profile

YouTube, campaign

Flickr, campaign

Social Networking:

Facebook, official

X (Twitter), official

YouTube, official

Instagram, official

Flickr, official

Official Links:

Website, official

Press Releases

Official press releases »

Education

Michigan State University - MA, philosophy (2007)

Activities and notes: Specialization in the ethics of development
Wayne State University Law School - JD (1989)
University of Detroit College of Business Administration - MBA (1985)
Alma College - BA, political science, magna cum laude (1980)

Activities and notes: Phi Beta Kappa
Rochester High School (Rochester Hills, Mich.) - Diploma

Office History

Congressional Offices:

U.S. Senate (Jan. 6, 2015-) In Office

Member, U.S. Senator for Michigan
U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 2013-Jan. 5, 2015) Ran for Senate

Member, 14th Congressional District of Michigan
U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 2009-Jan. 2, 2013) Changed District

Member, 9th Congressional District of Michigan

State Legislature Offices:

Michigan Senate (Jan. 3, 1995-Dec. 31, 2002)

D Senator, District 14

Election Results

2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)

U.S. Senate Seat for Michigan (Class 2)

Gary Charles Peters Sr., 49.90%
Democrat

John Edward James, 48.22%
Republican
2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

U.S. Senate Seat for Michigan (Class 2)

Gary Charles Peters Sr., 54.61%
Democrat

Terri Lynn Land, 41.33%
Republican

Jim Fulner, 2.01%
Libertarian

Richard A. Matkin, 1.20%
U.S. Taxpayers
2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)

14th Congressional District of Michigan

Gary Charles Peters Sr., 82.26%
Democrat

John Hauler, 15.63%
Republican

Leonard Schwartz, 1.21%
Libertarian
2011 (Nov. 2, 2010 election)

9th Congressional District of Michigan

Gary Charles Peters Sr., 49.76%
Democrat

A. Rocky Raczkowski, 47.23%
Republican

Adam Goodman, 1.03%
Libertarian
2009 (Nov. 4, 2008 election)

9th Congressional District of Michigan

Gary Charles Peters Sr., 52.08%
Democrat

Joseph Kastl Knollenberg (Joe), 42.63%
Republican

Jack Kevorkian, 2.55%
Non-designated

Adam Goodman, 1.39%
Libertarian

Douglas Campbell, 1.35%
Green

Employment History

Michigan Lottery (April 2003-Aug. 2007)

Commissioner
Rochester Hills (Mich.) City Council (1991-1993)

City Council Member
Michigan Department of Treasury

Senior Policy and Financial Analyst
Paine Webber

Vice President
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (1980-1989)

Assistant Vice President

Associated Organizations

Teaching position:

Oakland University
Wayne State University
Central Michigan University (2007-2008)
Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government

Own leadership PAC:

Motor City PAC

Election campaign:

Peters for Michigan
U.S. Senate Candidate
Peters for Congress (Michigan)

Political organization:

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (Jan. 2021-)
Chair

Board membership:

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (May 2015-2019)
Member, Congressional Board of Visitors

Awards

Federal Champion (American Flood Coalition)
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Distinguished Alumni Award (Navy Supply Corps Foundation) (April 2022)
Legislator of the Year (Congressional Fire Services Institute) (March 2022)
Legislator of the Year (Great Lakes Maritime Task Force) (Dec. 2021)
Fueling Growth Award (Growth Energy Inc.) (Sept. 2020)
Special Recognition Award (Michigan Health and Hospital Association) (June 2020)
Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) (June 2020)
Excellence in Public Service Award (Population Association of America) (2020)
Tech Champion (CompTIA Inc.) (Feb. 5, 2019)
Presidential Citation Award (American Geophysical Union) (Dec. 2018)
Legislator of the Year (Security Industry Association) (June 2018)
Innovator in Biotechnology Award (Biotechnology Innovation Organization) (April 2018)
Champion of Science Award (The Science Coalition) (March 2018)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2018)
Legislator of the Year (Vietnam Veterans of America) (Aug. 11, 2017)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2017)
Golden Triangle Award (National Farmers Union) (Sept. 2016)

Military History

U.S. Navy Reserve (2001-2008)

Lieutenant Commander

Returned to service after 9/11
U.S. Navy Reserve (1993-2000)

Served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Southern Watch

Awards and Honors:

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Official Signature

Contact Information

Email, member official contact form

Office Addresses:

Main Office:

Address:	724 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone:	202-224-6221

View Larger Map

» District Offices

Privately Financed Travel

4 trips taken between 2009 - 2013 costing $28,840

See map of trips

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

» see more

Personal Financial Disclosures

Disclosures as a member:

Annual: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2022 (Amendment), 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2014 (Amendment), 2014 (Amendment), 2013, 2013 (Amendment), 2013 (Amendment), 2013 (Amendment), 2013 (Amendment), 2012, 2012 (Amendment), 2012 (Amendment), 2011, 2011 (Amendment), 2011 (Amendment), 2010, 2010 (Amendment), 2010 (Amendment), 2009, 2009 (Amendment), 2009 (Amendment), 2009 (Amendment)
Election Candidate: 2009 (Amendment), 2008
Extension Letter: 2020
Stock transaction: 01/25/2024, 12/21/2023, 12/01/2023, 08/29/2023, 06/30/2023, 05/10/2023, 04/12/2023, 02/16/2023, 01/10/2023, 08/22/2022, 05/16/2022, 05/11/2022, 01/08/2022, 12/07/2021, 08/03/2021, 07/06/2021, 04/22/2021, 02/02/2021, 01/05/2021, 05/01/2020, 03/09/2020, 02/03/2020, 01/25/2020, 01/18/2020, 12/23/2019, 12/18/2019, 11/21/2019, 09/30/2019, 09/03/2019, 08/01/2019, 07/02/2019, 05/21/2019, 04/25/2019, 03/15/2019, 02/19/2019, 02/01/2019, 12/30/2018, 11/16/2018, 10/09/2018, 09/07/2018, 07/03/2018, 05/15/2018, 05/10/2018, 04/27/2018, 04/12/2018, 01/31/2018, 12/08/2017, 11/14/2017, 09/19/2017, 07/13/2017, 06/23/2017, 05/03/2017, 04/28/2017, 01/17/2017, 12/16/2016, 10/18/2016, 09/13/2016, 08/29/2016, 07/08/2016, 06/22/2016, 05/16/2016, 04/19/2016, 03/25/2016, 02/12/2016, 12/16/2015, 09/28/2015, 09/11/2015, 06/24/2015, 05/21/2015, 05/06/2015, 02/25/2015, 12/18/2014, 11/21/2014, 10/22/2014, 09/18/2014, 07/09/2014, 06/11/2014, 05/23/2014, 05/06/2014, 04/01/2014, 02/07/2014, 01/16/2014, 11/05/2013, 09/11/2013, 09/11/2013, 08/21/2013, 07/25/2013, 06/05/2013, 03/15/2013, 02/15/2013, 11/05/2013 (Amendment), 02/05/2013
Termination: 2015
» see more

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Turnover Index: 0.19
(House Average: 0.22)
» See more

Staff Salary Rate:

Office Median Annual Salary: $67,926.62
» See more

Staff Salaries Paid:

By Fiscal Year
By Calendar Year
By Quarter

» See full staffer list

» view all salaries

Committees

Senate Appropriations Committee

Senate Appropriations Committee Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee Homeland Security Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Senate Armed Services Committee

Senate Armed Services Committee Airland Subcommittee

Senate Armed Services Committee Cybersecurity Subcommittee

Senate Armed Services Committee Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee

Senate Armed Services Committee Seapower Subcommittee

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Communications, Media and Broadband Subcommittee

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Space and Science Subcommittee

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight and Ports Subcommittee, Chair

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Chair

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight Subcommittee, Ex Officio

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Government Operations and Border Management Subcommittee, Ex Officio

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Ex Officio

Caucuses

Caught Our Eye

Coinbase adds Senate staffer amid crypto overhaul

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on June 7, 2022
Cryptocurrency-exchange platform Coinbase has picked up Sen. Gary Peters' (D-Mich.) top economic staffer, just as the Senate's proposed regulatory overhaul grips the cryptocurrency industry. read more
Democratic Senate aide heads to asset-management firm

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on Jan. 10, 2020
A financial behemoth has finally coaxed a longtime Democratic aide to the private sector. read more
Cloud-service provider adds HSGAC Dem aide

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on July 23, 2019
A longtime Senate aide has taken to the cloud. read more
Sen. Gary Peters hires wildlife, conservation lobbyist

Posted by Jenna Ebersole on April 2, 2015
A lobbyist for the National Wildlife Federation has taken a position as legislative assistant in Sen. Gary Peters' (D-Mich.) office. read more
Rep. Peters chooses advocate as liaison

Posted by Nate Hoffman on Feb. 25, 2014
A pro-choice legislator has hired a young woman who spoke out on national television about her own choice to have an abortion. read more

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In the News

Sen. Gary Peters

Biographical

Family:

Biography:

Miscellaneous Links:

Campaign Links:

Social Networking:

Official Links:

Press Releases

Education

Office History

Election Results

2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)

2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)

2011 (Nov. 2, 2010 election)

2009 (Nov. 4, 2008 election)

Employment History

Associated Organizations

Awards

Military History

Awards and Honors:

Official Signature

Contact Information

Privately Financed Travel

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

Personal Financial Disclosures

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Staff Salary Rate:

Staff Salaries Paid:

Committees

Caucuses

Caught Our Eye