Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow is retiring from office after representing Michigan in the Senate for over 20 years.

“Inspired by a new generation of leaders, I have decided to pass the torch in the U.S. Senate. I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election and will leave the U.S. Senate at the end of my term on January 3, 2025,” Stabenow announced Thursday.

The news is a blow to Democrats, who hold a razor-thin advantage in the Senate due to three Independents that regularly caucus with their party: Angus King (ME), Bernie Sanders (VT), and Kyrsten Sinema (AZ). The Republicans currently hold 49 seats.

The announcement also threatens Democrats’ chances of keeping their Senate majority in 2025 due in part to a challenging Senate map this cycle. They now have to defend 23 Senate seats in the next election — including the Independent seats held by Sinema, Sanders, and King.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also faces two possible retirements in red-leaning states: Jon Tester (MT) and Joe Manchin (WV). In addition, Senate Republicans only need to defend 10 seats in 2024, and the incumbents are not particularly vulnerable.

Their loss is our win and a win for America. Stay tuned as the story progresses.