Buttigieg Won’t Run For Senate, Leaves Door Open For 2028 Prez Run
Pete Buttigieg has cleared the way for a potential bid for the White House in 2028 by confirming he won’t pursue Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
The former Transportation Secretary had once said he was “looking” into the possibility of replacing retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, a race expected to be one of the most competitive in the 2026 midterms. However, Buttigieg has now clarified that he has “decided against competing” for either the governorship or the Senate.
“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 shared in a post on 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.”
“While my own plans don’t include running for office in 2026, I remain intensely focused on consolidating, communicating, and supporting a vision for this alternative. The decisions made by elected leaders matter entirely because of how they shape our everyday lives – and the choices made in these years will decide the American people’s access to freedom, security, democracy, and prosperity for the rest of our lifetimes,” he added. A source briefed Politico early on about his decision and told him that his supporters framed his decision as a way to position him for a future presidential run while avoiding more challenging-to-win campaigns in 2026 and 2028.“The hardest decision in politics is to pass on a race you have a very good chance to win. Pete was an A-list recruit and would have been a formidable candidate for the Senate had he chosen to run,” longtime Democratic operative David Axelrod told Politico.
Political analyst David Axelrod noted that had Buttigieg opted to run and won in 2026, it would “almost certainly” have ruled him out of the 2028 presidential field. “This certainly keeps that option open,” Axelrod said.
Buttigieg previously ran in the 2020 Democratic primary, which was ultimately won by Joe Biden. As of now, he trails only Kamala Harris among early contenders for 2028. However, Harris is reportedly weighing a different political opportunity.
Reports indicate that Harris, who failed to secure the nomination in the 2024 cycle, may seek the California governorship in 2026, with Governor Gavin Newsom set to leave office due to term limits. According to Politico, citing two sources close to her, she’s likely to reach a decision on her next move by the end of summer.
Buttigieg’s decision not to run in Michigan—an important swing state that backed Donald Trump in the last election—has left Democrats scrambling to find a strong candidate to replace Peters.
The former South Bend, Indiana mayor moved to Michigan in 2022 with his husband, Chasten, who is originally from the state.
Following Buttigieg’s announcement, commentator Mark Halperin suggested that the former mayor’s profile as a “short and gay” man could pose challenges in a presidential race.
Speaking on The Morning Meeting, Halperin said physical appearance still plays a role in elections. “Gotta say it — he’s short and gay. So you can say winning the nomination, being short and gay, is a positive. And for some people, maybe not short, but gay is a positive,” he said. “And I know for some people there is, but there is going to be a premium for the party in 2028 on winning, right? It’s just like ’92. There are going to be a lot of voters who are willing to swallow stuff in order to win.”
Halperin continued, “I’ve looked at the list of people who’ve won the presidency. None of them were openly gay — three were gay, but none were openly gay. And so it’s just a risk.” He added that in the television era, “in almost every presidential race — not every one, but in almost every presidential race — the taller person has won. The Republican nominee in 2028 will be taller than Pete Buttigieg.”
Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer noted that winning the general election isn’t the same as clinching the Democratic nomination. Halperin agreed, clarifying that his analysis was focused on the nomination process.
Former Democratic strategist Dan Turrentine added his perspective: “I’m torn on whether or not, because he’s gay, it would be a liability. I could see it being a liability with certain audiences. I think the question is, do you own it, or are you uncomfortable and hide from it?”
“But this is a time when electability is going to be a massive issue,” Halperin concluded.