Sen. Gary Peters talks voter enthusiasm, bourbon and taxing tips in Axios interview

Voter enthusiasm is shifting in Democrats' favor across Michigan this summer, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said Tuesday in an exclusive Axios interview that also covered the Democrat's thoughts on bourbon, motorcycles and taxes on tips.

Why it matters: Peters, who runs Senate Democrats' campaign arm, is in high demand at this week's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

• After handicapping Senate races with Axios' Hans Nichols — Montana is Dems' toughest seat to keep , he said — Peters was a featured speaker in the evening.

What they're saying: The Bloomfield Township Democrat talked about his family's union roots during his five-minute appearance on stage, the Detroit News reports .

• "Kamala Harris and Tim Walz grew up just like me," Peters said. "And I know they'll fight for us. They'll make it easier to raise our families and retire with dignity."

Flashback: Peters was briefly considered for the role of Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was picked.

State of play: As chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Peters' top priority is getting all incumbents re-elected.

• He's also focused on keeping Michigan's other, open Senate seat blue with Sen. Debbie Stabenow's imminent retirement .
• The race pits Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin against Republican former congressman Mike Rogers.
• Given Michigan's swing state status and the narrowly divided Senate, it will be among the closest-watched and expensive in the country.

Between the lines: "We got a tailwind right now," Peters said. Democratic volunteers in Michigan doubled in the first week after President Biden dropped out, he told Nichols.

• Anecdotally, Peters added that while on his annual statewide motorcycle tour this month he saw fewer Trump signs than for the last two elections.

The intrigue: Peters told Axios he thinks the no-tax-on-tips proposal is "a good policy." But when asked if every Senate candidate should also adopt it, he said it's up to each one to make their own decision.

Fun fact: Axios' interview ended with some lighter questions about Peters' favorite bourbon. He qualified his answer to avoid playing favorites with in-state distilleries.

• "My go-to, if it's not Michigan, is Woodford Reserve," he said, adding that he's also a fan of Traverse City Whiskey.