Buttigieg Provides Strongest Indication to Date of Potential 2028 Presidential Ambition
The ex-Transportation secretary is setting his sights on a more ambitious goal than just a Senate seat.
TroibNews 
Pete Buttigieg is set to announce on Thursday that he will not pursue Michigan’s open Senate seat, as reported by someone familiar with his decision. This move potentially clears the way for a new presidential campaign.
His allies and those close to him believe this decision positions him strongly for a presidential bid, reflecting the notion that it would be challenging to manage campaigns in both 2026 and 2028 back-to-back.
Recently, the former Transportation Secretary acknowledged that he had been “looking” into a Senate campaign, even meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to discuss the option.
Democratic leaders are working diligently to maintain the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters, a crucial position in a key swing state. Republicans view this as a significant opportunity, especially after nearly flipping Michigan’s other Senate seat in the previous election cycle.
After serving four years in former President Joe Biden's Cabinet, Buttigieg relocated to Traverse City, Michigan, with his young family. The demands of Cabinet-related travel and the likelihood of launching a campaign shortly thereafter influenced his decision, according to those close to him.
Before deciding against a Senate run, Buttigieg also dismissed the idea of running for Michigan governor. Polls suggested that if he had chosen to run, he would have entered the primary in a commanding position.
“The hardest decision in politics is to pass on a race you have a very good chance to win,” remarked David Axelrod, a veteran Democratic strategist who played a pivotal role in Barack Obama’s campaigns. Axelrod, who is also a mentor to Buttigieg and spoke with him on Wednesday, added, “Pete was an A-list recruit and would have been a formidable candidate for the Senate had he chosen to run. But had he won in '26, it would almost certainly have taken him out of the conversation for '28. This certainly keeps that option open. Beyond that, I have a sense that he wanted to spend more time with his family, and with people in communities like his, where the conversations and concerns are so different than the ones you hear in the echo chamber of Washington.”
Buttigieg's withdrawal from the Senate race changes the landscape for a primary that Democrats urgently need to win, especially after President Donald Trump’s victory in Michigan in November. State Senator Mallory McMorrow has announced her intention to run for the seat, and Representative Haley Stevens is also taking steps toward a Senate run, including staff hiring.
“He wanted to decide quickly enough to give other folks a chance to mobilize if they wanted to run,” said Senator Brian Schatz, who had multiple conversations with Buttigieg as he contemplated his decision. “He handled it responsibly. He’s a rising star in the Democratic Party.”
Now, Buttigieg is setting his sights on a potential presidential run in 2028, a race in which he currently polls behind only former Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s recent nominee, who is contemplating a gubernatorial run in California.
In addition, Buttigieg continues to maintain a strong fundraising network within the party, having raised over $15 million for the Harris-Walz campaign last year.
While his association with the Biden administration, which faces unpopularity, may present challenges if he decides to run for president, other factors in the political landscape post-2024 could work in his favor. Buttigieg's long-standing commitment to exploring innovative ways to engage voters aligns with the Democratic Party’s current objectives.
As he considers his next steps, Buttigieg has recently increased his public visibility. In just the past week, he appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," hosted a Bluesky ask-me-anything session, and held an Instagram chat with Paul Rieckhoff, an independent veteran advocate and show host, discussing topics like Elon Musk and Department of Government Efficiency cuts to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
“We need you now more than ever,” Rieckhoff said to Buttigieg, emphasizing his potential presidential aspirations.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
His allies and those close to him believe this decision positions him strongly for a presidential bid, reflecting the notion that it would be challenging to manage campaigns in both 2026 and 2028 back-to-back.
Recently, the former Transportation Secretary acknowledged that he had been “looking” into a Senate campaign, even meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to discuss the option.
Democratic leaders are working diligently to maintain the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters, a crucial position in a key swing state. Republicans view this as a significant opportunity, especially after nearly flipping Michigan’s other Senate seat in the previous election cycle.
After serving four years in former President Joe Biden's Cabinet, Buttigieg relocated to Traverse City, Michigan, with his young family. The demands of Cabinet-related travel and the likelihood of launching a campaign shortly thereafter influenced his decision, according to those close to him.
Before deciding against a Senate run, Buttigieg also dismissed the idea of running for Michigan governor. Polls suggested that if he had chosen to run, he would have entered the primary in a commanding position.
“The hardest decision in politics is to pass on a race you have a very good chance to win,” remarked David Axelrod, a veteran Democratic strategist who played a pivotal role in Barack Obama’s campaigns. Axelrod, who is also a mentor to Buttigieg and spoke with him on Wednesday, added, “Pete was an A-list recruit and would have been a formidable candidate for the Senate had he chosen to run. But had he won in '26, it would almost certainly have taken him out of the conversation for '28. This certainly keeps that option open. Beyond that, I have a sense that he wanted to spend more time with his family, and with people in communities like his, where the conversations and concerns are so different than the ones you hear in the echo chamber of Washington.”
Buttigieg's withdrawal from the Senate race changes the landscape for a primary that Democrats urgently need to win, especially after President Donald Trump’s victory in Michigan in November. State Senator Mallory McMorrow has announced her intention to run for the seat, and Representative Haley Stevens is also taking steps toward a Senate run, including staff hiring.
“He wanted to decide quickly enough to give other folks a chance to mobilize if they wanted to run,” said Senator Brian Schatz, who had multiple conversations with Buttigieg as he contemplated his decision. “He handled it responsibly. He’s a rising star in the Democratic Party.”
Now, Buttigieg is setting his sights on a potential presidential run in 2028, a race in which he currently polls behind only former Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s recent nominee, who is contemplating a gubernatorial run in California.
In addition, Buttigieg continues to maintain a strong fundraising network within the party, having raised over $15 million for the Harris-Walz campaign last year.
While his association with the Biden administration, which faces unpopularity, may present challenges if he decides to run for president, other factors in the political landscape post-2024 could work in his favor. Buttigieg's long-standing commitment to exploring innovative ways to engage voters aligns with the Democratic Party’s current objectives.
As he considers his next steps, Buttigieg has recently increased his public visibility. In just the past week, he appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," hosted a Bluesky ask-me-anything session, and held an Instagram chat with Paul Rieckhoff, an independent veteran advocate and show host, discussing topics like Elon Musk and Department of Government Efficiency cuts to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
“We need you now more than ever,” Rieckhoff said to Buttigieg, emphasizing his potential presidential aspirations.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
