Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary, is expected to announce that he will not run for Michigan’s open Senate seat, according to three individuals briefed on his deliberations. This decision appears to open the door for a potential bid in the 2028 presidential election.
By opting out of the 2026 race to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, Mr. Buttigieg may position himself more favorably for the next presidential contest, which is anticipated to begin immediately after the midterm elections. The initial report was made by Politico.
Mr. Buttigieg, who previously sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, was regarded as a leading candidate for the upcoming Senate race, credited with significant fundraising abilities, high recognition, and a dedicated support base within the Democratic Party.
However, he was also aware of potential vulnerabilities related to being perceived as a “carpetbagger,” given his relatively recent relocation to Michigan. Mr. Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, moved to Traverse City in 2022, where he resides with his husband, Chasten, and their twin toddlers.
In December, he acknowledged his short time in Michigan, stating, “I have a lot of humility about having only moved to Michigan a few years ago,” while also referencing his childhood connections to the area.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and will not run for a third term next year, and Mr. Buttigieg is not expected to pursue the governorship.
His potential Senate candidacy would have tested the electorate's willingness to support a former Biden administration official, particularly in light of past electoral outcomes; former Vice President Kamala Harris lost Michigan to Donald Trump, and President Biden faced unpopularity during parts of his presidency. A representative for Mr. Buttigieg did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday morning.
Democratic candidates considering a run for the Senate seat include Representative Haley Stevens, State Senator Mallory McMorrow, and Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive director of health in Wayne County who previously ran against Governor Whitmer in the 2018 primary.
The governor’s race has already initiated a crowded primary among Democrats, and both the Senate and gubernatorial contests are anticipated to be highly competitive in the general election.
Meanwhile, Chasten Buttigieg is set to step into the limelight in Michigan this spring with the release of a children’s book titled “Papa’s Coming Home.” The book, which uses the name their children call Mr. Buttigieg, narrates the story of children eagerly awaiting their father’s return from a trip. A promotional book tour is scheduled to begin in Traverse City in mid-May.