Peters and three other Democratic legislators this week formed the Spending Cuts and Deficit Reduction Working Group and proposed a series of bills to cut spending. "My mother was the cornerstone of our family. He won 16 games, had a 2.28 ERA, three shutouts, a career-best 215 strikeouts and tossed three innings in the All-Star game. After graduating from Rochester High School, he attended Alma College, where he earned a B.A. Theres no small print that says political convenience should override the Constitution. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Gary is also a product of Michigan schools. [45] House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank said Peters was the "single most effective person" in fighting against the forces that wanted to let Detroit go bankrupt. Less than a month before the election, he became the first sitting U.S. senator ever to publicly reveal a personal family experience with abortion. Barretts confirmation hearings began Monday, Oct. 12, and are set to continue through Thursday. In the current 118th Congress, Gary is the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security and is the Senates top oversight committee. [17][18][19], From 2007 to 2008, Peters served as the third Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University. Peters was chosen by his Democratic colleagues to chair his party's caucus. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. [36], Due to the state's population decline, as reflected by the 2010 Federal Census, Michigan lost one congressional district. Peters is one of two senators running for reelection in a state won by President Trump in 2016. In Peters, 61, a first-term Democrat who is in a statistical tie with his Republican opponent John James for his seat, opposes the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace the deceased Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, fearing she would overturn or severely restrict the 1973 court ruling that created the right to an abortion, Elle reported. Ochoa is currently the principal for Meaningful Impact Consulting, LLC. 158.247.199.249 AT&T DirecTV Censorship of Newsmax Continues, See More Here, Sen. Peters: Trump Administration Taking Steps to Slow Down Mail, GOP Super PAC Spending $9M on Michigan Senate Race, Steve Bannon at CPAC: Fox News Has 'Disrespected' Trump 'Long Enough', CPAC's Mercedes Schlapp to Newsmax: DirecTV Removing Newsmax An Outrage. She had to go to a second hospital to get an abortion, Mr. Peters said, because the first hospital had an anti-abortion policy and would not make an exception. Peters explained that his now ex-wife's water broke at just . U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced the Tuesday death of his mother, Madeleine Vignier Peters of Rochester Hills. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Peters is the first sitting senator to share an experience with abortion. Peters is the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. "If it weren't for urgent and critical medical care, I could have lost my life," Peters' former wife said in a statement quoted by the magazine. [77][78], In November 2017, in response to efforts by China to purchase tech companies based in the US, Peters was one of nine senators to cosponsor a bill that would broaden the federal government's ability to prevent foreign purchases of U.S. firms through increasing the strength of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). [87], According to financial disclosure documents, Peters had assets between $1.7million and $6.3million at the end of 2014. 3) He's pushed back on Hunter Biden investigations in the Senate. American Conservative Union senior fellow Mercedes Schlapp told Newsmax Friday that it is an "outrage" that DirecTV and . Senator during a single Congress in over 40 years. Knollenberg was considered vulnerable due to an increasing Democratic trend in what was once a classic bastion of suburban conservatism. Its no surprise that John James is trying to hide his real position from Michiganders its the playbook hes used the entire campaign whether its his 2000% support for Trump or his support for repealing the health care law that protects 1.7 million Michiganders with preexisting conditions, said Peters campaign spokeswoman Vanessa Valdivia. The doctor appealed to the hospital board for an exception to the abortion policy but was denied. ', Ted Cruz says 2024 Senate re-election will be 'firefight as Democrats come at him with everything they have, Maryland mayor facing child pornography charges was frequent donor to Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, How Section 230 set the standard for free speech online. Ultimately, Heidi was able to get the potentially life-saving procedure at another hospital. 1) He was the only freshman Democrat elected to the Senate in 2014. Democrats are concerned about the future of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision from 1973 that protects a womans right to choose to have an abortion without excessive government interference, should Barrett be confirmed, as her judicial record has shown her to be a staunch opponent of abortion. Click to reveal Anyone can read what you share. [37] The 14th was a heavily Democratic, 58 percent black-majority district, and Peters was overwhelmingly favored in November. [76], On February 4, 2021, Peters voted against providing COVID-19 pandemic financial support to undocumented immigrants. Incumbent Democrat Gary Peters, Republican John James have spent more than $70 million combined; Matt Finn reports. As State Lottery Commissioner, he managed a multi-billion dollar business and consistently raised record amounts of money for the state School Aid Fund. Gary Peters, the 1963 American League Rookie of Year for the Chicago White Sox, died at 85, the team announced Thursday. Gary worked in the private sector for over 20 years as both a financial advisor and in a variety of management positions with two major financial service firms. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) detailed his first wife's abortion in an article for People magazine this week in a call to defend Roe v. Wade. Peters faced only 30 batters. A two-time All-Star, the left-handed pitcher spent parts of 11 seasons. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters became the first U.S. senator to reveal his abortion story, telling it to Elle for a feature released Monday. In 2014, he was elected to replace Senator Carl Levin. Gary and his wife, Colleen, live in Oakland County and have three children: Gary Jr., Madeleine and Alana. Ive always considered myself pro-choice and believe women should be able to make these decisions themselves, but when you live it in real life, you realize the significant impact it can have on a family.. In that part-time position, he taught one class a semester, plus preparing additional student activities including two policy forums, and developing a journal of Michigan politics and policy, for $65,000 a year. [27], Peters served as the vice chairman of the Senate Finance, Education, Judiciary and Economic Development Committees. Should I have just asked? Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) spoke on the Senate floor on Tuesday about Roe v. Wade and abortion. . By Samantha Maffucci Written on Nov 14, 2018. Their doctor informed them that their unborn. A gun owner himself, he participated in Chris Murphys gun control filibuster, which was a response to the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting. Clinton told the crowd that the Democratic candidates support middle-out economic policies such as raising the minimum wage and not trickle-down. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit in 1984. It is unclear if Gary Peters was married or not. Former President Obama highlighted that auto support in a campaign ad he cut for Peters:"When youre president, you learn real fast who has your back, and in Michigan that was always Gary Peters," Obama says in the ad. Gary Charles Peters Sr. (born December 1, 1958) is an American lawyer, politician, and former military officer serving as the junior United States senator from Michigan since 2015. Republicans believe they have a real pick-up opportunity in the Great Lakes State in their effort to maintain control of the Senate. And even before he started a career in politics, he served in the U.S. Navy Reserve and spend over two decades as an investment advisor. Former White Sox pitcher Gary Peters has died at 85. Photo circa July 15, 1966. Legal Statement. Advice for the relationships in your life and how to boost your own well-being. The CFIUS's scope would be expanded to allow it to review along with possibly decline smaller investments and add additional national security factors for CFIUS to consider, including whether information about Americans would be exposed as part of transactions or whether the deal would facilitate fraud. In one Peters'campaign ad, a Michigan craft brewer Chris Andrus describes howPeters helped him cut through red tape to expand theMitten Brewing Company. [79], Peters is a gun owner. After a second night without a miscarriage, the story claims Peters' wife health deteriorated. Peters is the only target for Republicans to go on offense with Tuesday,aside fromSen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., who entered the Senate surprisingly ina 2017 special election when he beat Republican Roy Moore, who was accused of sexual misconduct with teenagegirls. At the time, Peters and his wife were expecting their second child, a baby the couple wanted. He was the only non-incumbent Democrat to win a Senate election in 2014. When she did not miscarry naturally, she became ill and was told that without an abortion, she would lose her uterus and be at risk of dying from sepsis. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. Hes also a member of the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, which works to improve the 9-1-1 phone system and emergency response systems. Peters' wife got to another hospital and had the abortion. The White Sox send our condolences to the family and friends of Gary Peters, the team said in part of a tweet. pic.twitter.com/RbmgOSMGb6, This is exactly the opposite of what he said in 2016 when he said that President Obama should have his election year nominee, James told Fox News in September of Peters refusal to confirm Barrett. In the late 1980s, his first wife had a wanted pregnancy that failed at four months, but her miscarriage did not proceed naturally, causing a health emergency. Along with other senators and staff, Peters was evacuated from the Senate floor when rioters breached the Capitol. In November 2010, Peters defeated challenges by Republican Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski, Libertarian Adam Goodman, Independent Bob Gray, Independent Matthew Kuofie, and Green Douglas Campbell. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, argue the federal response shows Democrats have left such regions behind. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) detailed his first wife's abortion in an article for People magazine this week in a call to defend Roe v. Wade. The lefty, who came into professional baseball as a first baseman, drove in 12 runs.. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich) has spoken candidly about his family's personal experience with abortion, a first for a sitting senator. New Details About Colleen Ochoa By Samantha Maffucci Written on Nov 14, 2018 Photo: getty Senator Gary Peters was elected to Congress in 2015, serving the state of. His Republican rival, John James, is a vocal opponent of abortion. [66], Peters was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count on January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol. His mother who survived Nazi occupation of France and met Garys father while he served in Europe during the war worked as a nurses aide at a local nursing home. In junior high, he bused tables at a Big Boy restaurant, and in high school and college, he worked at a local retailer and on a grounds crew. I support the constitution of the United States and there's no small print that says political convenience should override what the constitution says., James has previously accused Peters of only supporting nominees from Democratic presidents and always opposing those of Republican presidents. [1] He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican Terri Lynn Land in the general election. The Democratic lawmaker revealed to Elle Magazine that in the 1980s, his then-wife Heidi had an abortion at four months because her pregnancy wasnt viable and her life was at risk. His final three seasons were with the Boston Red Sox (1970-72). Their hospital did not perform abortions, but they were able to obtain an emergency abortion at another hospital in part because they were friends with the hospital's administrator. [2][3] Peters was reelected in 2020, defeating Republican challenger John E. James in a close race. Michigan Senator Gary Peters writes the 'personal and painful' story of his wife's medically necessary abortion By People Staff Published on January 26, 2022 04:30 PM So we put in restrictions, or put in regulations necessary to reign that in, and right now in Washington I'm facing a Republican majority that wants to undo that. Gary Charles Peters Sr. (born December 1, 1958) is an American lawyer, politician, and former military officer serving as the junior United States senator from Michigan since 2015. Peters, who is running for reelection this year, discussed his first wife, Heidi, having a life-saving abortion in the 1980s, which the senator said occurred during their second pregnancy with a child that was very much wanted. It's a story, Peters says, that all too many Americans can share. With the control of the Senateon the line, money has been pouring into the race. As personal and moving as the story may be, Peters also specifically chose a poignant date to reveal his experience: The story was released the same day as Amy Coney Barrett, President Trumps pick to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, began her Senate confirmation hearings. "[68] Peters blamed Trump, calling him "a clear and present danger" and calling for his immediate removal from office through the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution or impeachment. In the 2002 state attorney general race, Peters performed at or above the Democratic base in 72 percent of the 9th district precincts. [20] Peters announced his candidacy to run for Congress two months after being hired. [82], In January 2019, Peters was one of 40 senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act, a bill that would require background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms. She was four months pregnant when her water broke.. Barrett signed ad in 2006 decrying barbaric legacy of Roe v. Wade, advocating overturning the law, Its important for folks who are willing to tell these stories to tell them, especially now, Peters said. He called for a return to a time when nominees like Ginsburg were confirmed with 96 votes. American politician and naval officer (born 1958), "Senator Peters" redirects here. He represented Michigan's 9th congressional district from 2009 to 2013. Still, the hospital would not authorize an exception for the procedure, and encouraged the couple to seek help elsewhere. [30], Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Peters as the Michigan Lottery commissioner on April 9, 2003.[31][32][33]. James has said he supports repealing the law but wants to keep intact coverage of preexisting conditions. Senators Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow endorse Gary Peters in 2014 U.S. Senate election", "Terri Lynn Land Targeted in Super PAC Ad in Michigan", "Senate Majority PAC Launches New Ads in Michigan and Arkansas | Senate Majority PAC", "Elizabeth Warren Hits The Campaign Trail For Fellow Democrats", "Meet the GOP Senate Candidate Even Republicans Love to Hate", "Senate Update: The Swing States That Never Swung", "Senate Races 2014: Why Michigan Never Became Iowa", "How race is affecting the race for Michigan's Senate seat", "Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters wins reelection", "How Michigan politicians responded to situation at the U.S. Capitol", "All Michigan Democrats in Congress call for Trump's removal", "Ohio congressional delegates leading investigation into Capitol siege", "The Lugar Center McCourt School Bipartisan Index Senate", "Highlights from the New 116th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores Center for Effective Lawmaking", "Peters vs. James in Michigan US Senate race: Where they stand on 6 big issues", "Cosponsors S.720 115th Congress (2017-2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act", "43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements", "U.S. lawmakers introduce bipartisan bills on foreign investment amid China worries", "Gary Peters, Mark Totten talk guns and world peace at MLive Ballot Bash in Royal Oak", "U.S. Sen. Gary Peters participates in Senate filibuster over gun control", "U.S. 7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MICHIGAN'S SENATE CANDIDATE. [6], Gary Charles Peters was born December 1, 1958, in Pontiac, Michigan,[7] where he grew up. Helping save the auto industry, protecting the Great Lakes, covering pre-existing conditions. She was 96. Incumbent Democrat Gary Peters, Republican John James have spent more than $70 million combined; Matt Finn reports. Three House representatives Californias Barbara Lee and Jackie Speier, as well as Washingtons Pramila Jayapal are the only other members of congress who have shared their own accounts of the procedure. Senator Gary Peters revealed his ex-wife's "gut-wrenching" decision to have a lifesaving abortion, becoming one of the first members of Congress to open up about the procedure. Peters said he felt compelled to tell the story because confirmation hearings began on Monday for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, who has previously ruled against abortion rights. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Four months into the pregnancy, her water broke unexpectedly. I still vividly remember he left a message on the answering machine saying, They refused to give me permission, not based on good medical practice, simply based on politics. Its a story of gut-wrenching and complicated decisions but its important for folks to understand families face these situations every day.. Topic: How pro-birth extremists almost killed Gary Peters' wife (Read 1106 times) Indy Texas independentTX Atlas Icon Posts: 12,026. Peters accused Johnson and Republicans of using the committee to try to manufacture dirt on the former vice president and to help President Donald Trumps campaign. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Background Check Expansion Act To Reduce Gun Violence", "Sen. Peters on gun control, net neutrality, and new banking regulations", "Roll Call 165 Roll Call 165, Bill Number: H. R. 3590, 111th Congress, 2nd Session", "U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 117th Congress 1st Session", "Sen. Gary Peters: Campaign Finance/Money Other Data Senator 2016 | OpenSecrets", "Gary Peters (D-Mich), 2014 | OpenSecrets", "Sen. Peters delivers reading of farewell address", "Sen. Peters delivers reading of George Washington's farewell address", "Peters Delivers President George Washington's Farewell Address on Senate Floor", "Gary Peters starts motorcycle campaign road trip to tout achievements in U.S. Senate", "The Pope Addressed A Congress That's Much More Christian Than America", Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, International Narcotics Control (Permanent Caucus), Members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gary_Peters&oldid=1142039652, Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Michigan, Democratic Party United States senators from Michigan, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 05:13. Peterss challenger supports limiting access to abortions, overturning Roe v. Wade, opposes abortions in cases of rape and incest, and compared abortions to genocide in 2018, according to MLive.com. Peters won American League Rookie of the Year honors in 1963 and was an all-star in 1964 and 1967. ", Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., speaks at a rally for Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama at Northwestern High School in Flint, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. Naval War College. "We've been frustrated with both Democratic leadership and Republicans. Exceptions to the bill's background check requirement included transfers between members of law enforcement, loaning firearms for hunting or sporting events on a temporary basis, providing them as gifts to members of one's immediate family, transferring them as part of an inheritance, or giving one to another person temporarily for immediate self-defense. White Sox pitcher Gary Peters during the team's victory over the California Angels, 4 - 0, on four hits on July 15, 1966. A Senator's Wife Was Nearly Denied A Life-Saving Abortion & That's Why He's Committed to Reproductive Rights. [67] He led the investigation as chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. from Wayne State University Law School. [96], Peters is an Episcopalian. Photo circa July 15, 1966. He has said his spirituality is important to him and "gives me comfort in rough times".[97]. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Peters opponent, John James, is a staunch pro-life advocate, even referring to abortions as genocide during his 2018 senate campaign, according to audio released by the Michigan Democratic Party. [65] He has supported the Paycheck Fairness Act and in 2015 voted in favor of the Violence Against Women Act. WHO IS JOHN JAMES? or redistributed. He cited President Trumps nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court as posing a threat to womens reproductive rights, saying that hers could be the vote to potentially overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision protecting the right to an abortion. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. I still vividly remember [the doctor] left a message on the answering machine saying, They refused to give me permission, not based on good medical practice, simply based on politics, he recalled. [86], Peters is married to Colleen Ochoa from Waterford Township, Michigan; they have three children. He was also a member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission and served on the Michigan Sentencing Commission. leadership on spending", "Over 100 Democrats Join Reps. Crowley, Maloney, Lowey and Berman in Call for Continued Support of UNFPA", "Michigan's 'Rape Insurance' Abortion Rider Law Goes Into Effect Today", "Gary Peters nabs senior whip position in Congress", "Democrat Gary Peters says he wants to continue Carl Levin's legacy in US Senate", "U.S. But when Heidi was four months along, her water broke, leaving the fetus without the amniotic fluid it needed to survive. Since then, hes been a staunch supporter of stricter gun laws. That means he sits oppositeSen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., the committee chairman, who has led the effort to investigate Hunter Biden, the son of the Democratic presidential nominee, over his foreign business dealings. James and Peters also hold opposing views on whether Barrett should be confirmed by the Senate. The story did not identify the hospital. The ride is over 1,000 miles from Detroit to the Upper Penisula and back. The new district retained Peters's district number (the 9th) but geographically was more Levin's district. [13], Peters joined the United States Navy Reserve in 1993 at age 34. New Details On The Current White House Counsel And Assistant To The President, A post shared by Senator Gary Peters (@sengarypeters), Death Certificate Of Indiana Lyching Victim Finally Changed From Suicide To Homicide 100 Years Later, The Most Terrifying Tweets From Inside The Capitol During The Riots As Far-Right Mobs Stormed The Building, Senator Patrick Leahy Hospitalized Weeks Before Trump's Impeachment Trial Meet His Wife, Marcelle Pomerleau, Who Is Ed Markey's Wife? Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Peters was sworn into his first term in January 2009. The redrawn district is based in Detroit, but contains a large chunk of Peters's old State Senate district and portions of his old congressional district. This article was published more than2 years ago. RELATED: Who Is Don McGahn? Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. [80] In 2010, he had a D rating from the National Rifle Association; by 2020, Peters had an F rating. "Gary was there every step of the way. [89], Peters received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2019. He was 85 years old. It was a potentially risky move for Peters, a first-term senator in a competitive race for reelection. Peters has also been Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery. By Allie Strickler Published on October 13, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Due to Detroit's dwindling population, it was no longer possible to keep the district exclusively within Wayne County. Senator Gary Peters has been honored to represent the State of Michigan in the U.S. Senate since 2015. In those two years, Gary was the principal sponsor and author of more standalone bills signed into law than any Democratic or Republican member serving in either the Senate or House. But before this, he was a U.S. Representative for Michigan's 14th congressional district, which includes Detroit and Pontiac. Gary and his wife, Colleen, live in Oakland County and have three children: Gary Jr., Madeleine and Alana. Peters faced only 30 batters. In the last TWO WEEKS Gary Peters has flip-flopped on SCOTUS nominees in election years. [73] The American Conservative Union gave him a 7% lifetime conservative rating 2020. Legal Statement. FILE - In this Thursday, June 25, 2020, file photo, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., listens during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. Congress. He continued being a leading voice for Michigan whether it was advocating for the auto rescue and Michigan manufacturing or ensuring small businesses had access to the capital needed to start, grow and succeed after the Great Recession. Tools gary pettis wife. addition, Gary serves as one of six Congressional Regents on the Smithsonian Peters, who is running for reelection this year, discussed his first wife, Heidi, having a life-saving abortion in the 1980s, which the senator said occurred during their second pregnancy with a child that was very much wanted. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Brown is under heightened . Her water had broken, Mr. Peters told the magazine, leaving the fetus with no chance of survival. Peters faces John James, a well-funded Republican businessman and Army veteran. In the bittersweet 1967 season Gary returned to his high standards. But what about his personal life? In an interview with Elle magazine published on. Heidis health declined in the days that followed, and a doctor warned that if she did not have an abortion immediately, she could lose her uterus or die of a uterine infection that could cause her to become septic. [38] He was the first white congressman to represent a significant portion of Detroit since 1993. In an interview with Elle magazine in October, Peters revealed a very personal story about hisfirst wifestruggling to getaccess to anabortionto save her life in the late 1980s. Peters then wrote that in the 1980s, his wife was pregnant with their second child. [14] He served more than ten years in units at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, including Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26. During his eight years of service, he authored and passed more bills signed into law than any other member of his party. He achieved this by building on his record of working in a bipartisan manner. It enacted an incredible emotional toll, Peters said. My story is one thats tragically shared by so many Americans, Peters tweeted on Monday. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Republicans nationwide had a great year and won back control of the Senate so Peters was surrounded by celebratory Republicans in his freshman class. (ne Vignier) and Herbert Garrett Peters, a historian and statistician. He isn't the type that makes headlines for controversies, hence sharing such a personal story publicly might come as a surprise to many. [76], In March 2017, Peters cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S. 720), which made it a federal crime for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories if protesting actions by the Israeli government. Your IP: Its important for folks to understand that these things happen to folks every day, he explains to Elle. Senator Gary Peters during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Aug. 6, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Toni Sandys/Pool via REUTERS), 2) Peters founded the bipartisan Senate Motorcycle Caucus. In an interview with Elle published Monday, Gary Peters . You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Knollenberg's opponents in 2002 and 2004 had performed significantly below the Democratic base in the district, but he was nearly defeated in 2006 by Nancy Skinner, a former radio talk-show host who spent virtually no money the closest a Republican had come to losing the district in almost half a century.