Gary is a lifelong Michigander and has served the state in various capacities throughout his entire life, from his young days as an eagle scout, through his service as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, to being elected to the Michigan state senate, the House of Representatives, and finally the U.S. Senate. His last race was in 2014, a disastrous year for Democrats where Gary was the only non-incumbent to win a Senate race.
Gary has a rich history of effective bipartisan work. He was ranked as the 4th-most-bipartisan Democrat in the most recent Congress. He has managed to write and pass 24 bills through the Republican-controlled Senate. He was especially praised for his work rescuing auto manufacturers and the city of Detroit during the financial crisis.