Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., walks on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Washington. Peters said Tuesday he will vote to remove President Donald Trump from office, saying the facts show that he abused his power to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

LANSING (AP) — Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said Tuesday that he will vote to remove President Donald Trump from office, saying the facts show that he abused his power to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden.

Peters, who is seeking reelection to a second term this year, announced his decision a day before the Republican-led Senate was scheduled to vote on two impeachment articles. A spokeswoman for fourth-term Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, said she too would vote to convict and that she would release a statement Wednesday.

“After solemn consideration of the facts and evidence presented to the Senate, I have concluded that the President violated his oath of office and betrayed the public trust by putting his own personal and political interests before the people of Michigan and our country,” Peters said in a statement.

He also accused Trump of engaging in an “unprecedented cover-up” by obstructing the congressional investigation.

Peters is facing a challenge from Republican businessman and Iraq War veteran John James, who opposes impeachment.

Nathan Brand, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Peters “turned his back on the will” of voters in Michigan, which Trump narrowly won in 2016.

“Falling in line with his party’s most radical voices, Peters put his own personal political interests ahead of the principles and priorities of those he is supposed to represent,” Brand said.

Trump is virtually certain to be acquitted. Peters, however, said he must vote to hold Trump accountable.

“If we do not stand up and defend our democracy during this fragile period, then the Senate is allowing this President and future presidents to have unchecked power without accountability,” he said.