Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg introduced Thursday he is not going to run for Senate in Michigan following months of hypothesis.
“I care deeply about who Michigan will elect as Governor and send to the U.S. Senate next year, but I have decided against competing in either race,” Buttigieg mentioned in a submit on social platform X. “I remain enthusiastic about helping candidates who share our values – and who understand that in this moment, leadership means not only opposing today’s cruel chaos, but also presenting a vision of a better alternative.”
Buttigieg added that he stays “intensely focused on consolidating, communicating, and supporting a vision for this alternative.”
Buttigieg’s transfer to go on a Senate bid retains the door open to a possible presidential run in 2028. If Buttigieg had been to launch a presidential bid, working for Senate in 2026 would have been a decent turnaround.
A supply accustomed to Buttigieg’s considering advised The Hill the transfer units him up for the strongest potential place to run in 2028, noting that working for governor and senator would have taken that off the desk.
The supply added that whereas the Democratic Celebration has been in discussions about going to new locations to succeed in folks, Buttigieg has been doing that since day one.
The previous Transportation secretary stoked hypothesis a few statewide run in Michigan following his transfer to Traverse Metropolis in 2022. He was floated as a possible gubernatorial contender however dominated that out final month.
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters’s (D) determination to not search reelection in 2026 opened up one other door to a statewide run, and polling confirmed Buttigieg would have had robust standing in a Democratic main.
Based on a Blueprint polling memo launched final month, 40 p.c of respondents backed Buttigieg for the place whereas Michigan Legal professional Normal Dana Nessel garnered 16 p.c assist.
A win within the main would have seemingly led to a troublesome basic election combat. The nonpartisan Prepare dinner Political Report charges the race as a toss-up.
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D), who is predicted to announce a run, responded to information Buttigieg was not working on X.
“Busy morning, huh? Thank you to everyone encouraging me to run for Senate. I’ll have more to share soon,” McMorrow mentioned on the platform.
Buttigieg, 43, is seen as a rising star within the Democratic Celebration. He was elected mayor of South Bend, Ind., in 2012, nevertheless it was his 2020 run for president that launched his nationwide political profile.
Buttigieg narrowly received the Iowa caucuses however endorsed former President Biden after dropping out of the race. Biden nominated Buttigieg to function Transportation secretary in 2020.
Up to date at 11:14 a.m. EDT
