SAUGATUCK, Mich. — Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, recently declared that he would not pursue the open Senate seat in Michigan. This decision potentially paves the way for him to focus on a larger political aspiration, possibly positioning himself as a future presidential candidate within his party.
Since concluding his tenure in the Biden administration at the end of January, Buttigieg has been contemplating various political avenues. He seriously considered running for the newly available Senate seat in Michigan, a state he recently adopted as his home. However, many of his influential supporters heeded against this pathway if he intended to preserve the possibility of a presidential campaign in 2028.
“I care deeply about the candidates Michigan chooses for Governor and the U.S. Senate in the coming year. Still, I have chosen not to enter either contest,” Buttigieg expressed on social media on Thursday. He also shared that he has no intention of entering any races in 2026.
This decision opens the field for candidates vying to succeed Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who unexpectedly announced he would not seek reelection in 2026. Michigan emerges as one of three strategic states where Republicans might gain a Senate seat. Besides Peters, Senators Tina Smith of Minnesota and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire have also opted out of pursuing another term.
State Senator Mallory McMorrow of Michigan is anticipated to announce her candidacy for the Senate in April. Well-known for her passionate speech on the Senate floor in 2022, she has grown into a prominent figure among Michigan Democrats, even speaking at the Democratic National Convention last year. She hinted at her forthcoming announcement on social media, suggesting more details will follow shortly.
Alongside McMorrow, other Democrats, including U.S. Representative Haley Stevens, are exploring their chances for a Senate run. Historically, Michigan has not elected a Republican to the Senate in this century, though Mike Rogers narrowly missed securing a seat last fall and plans to challenge the Democrats again.
Buttigieg’s decision not to run in Michigan could potentially challenge the Democrats’ effort to maintain control of a vital Senate seat in 2026. Nonetheless, it might empower their quest for fresh national leadership needed to counter prominent figures like Donald Trump. Buttigieg initially emerged on the national scene as the underdog mayor of South Bend, Indiana, when he campaigned for president in 2020. Surpassing seasoned competitors in the Iowa caucuses, he eventually withdrew and was appointed as the transportation secretary by President Biden.
Regarded as a highly compelling party communicator, Buttigieg boasts a substantial following across social media, a network of national donors, and an appeal that resonates in both traditional interviews with Fox News and smaller gatherings. Residing now in Traverse City, Michigan, he’s been actively establishing ties in the important swing state, a potential early host for upcoming presidential primaries.
On the platform Substack, Buttigieg shared his intentions to spend the coming months engaging with both traditional and digital media to promote politics focused on everyday life, inspired by themes of freedom, security, and democracy. He stated, “You’ll be seeing me on familiar platforms and newer ones, developing this vision and discussing with fellow Americans what they most need from their government and their country at a time like this.”
