While many Republicans were left disappointed by last year's midterm election results, the retirement of a longtime Senate Democrat could give them reason to cheer. 

According to The Hill, Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced this week that she will not seek another term in 2024.

Stabenow will step down after almost a quarter century in D.C.

"Inspired by a new generation of leaders, I have decided to pass the torch in the U.S. Senate," Stabenow was quoted as saying in a statement on Thursday.

"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," Democratic lawmaker continued.

Stabenow pledged that over the next two years she will remain "intensely focused on continuing this important work to improve the lives of Michiganders."

"This includes leading the passage of the next five-year Farm Bill which determines our nation’s food and agriculture policies," the Democratic senator insisted.

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.

Read my full statement:https://t.co/qYJE6lyRJ3 pic.twitter.com/Fq659Aevs0

— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) January 5, 2023

Stabenow's official biography points out that the senior Democrat "made history in 2000 when she became the first woman from Michigan elected to the United States Senate."

It notes how in addition to serving as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, she also sits on the Senate Finance Committee, Budget Committee, and the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Tough races for Democrats

The Hill observed how Stabenow's departure creates a potential pick up for Republicans in a year that many observers expect will already be challenging for Democrats.

Fox News contributor Sophia Slacik wrote late last year that the party faces "an uphill battle" to reelect incumbents in several red and swing states.

These include West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, Montana Sen. Jon Tester, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

What's more, Slacik stressed that Manchin is "the most vulnerable" of the group and he has not even made clear whether or not he intends to run again.

She also emphasized West Virginia's heavily Republican character, saying, "Then-President Trump won the state by a whopping 39 percentage points in the last election, making this seat ripe for a Republican pickup."