Shocking First Democrat 2028 Presidential Candidate Comes Out
In a move that could shake up the Democratic landscape for 2028, U.S. Transportation Secretary and former mayor Pete Buttigieg has signaled his presidential aspirations more clearly than ever.
The strongest hint came when Buttigieg opted not to pursue Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat following the retirement of Gary Peters (D-MI). Speculation about Buttigieg eyeing a greater prize—a White House bid post-Trump—only grew, with a source close to him confirming that this decision did not dispel such rumors.
Within Buttigieg’s inner circle, there is widespread agreement that running consecutive high-profile campaigns—first for Senate in 2026, then for president two years later—would be an uphill battle. Insiders suggest that by steering clear of the Senate race, Buttigieg places himself in a stronger position to challenge well-established contenders like former Vice President Kamala Harris in the Democratic primary.
After an eight-year tenure as mayor of South Bend, Indiana—home to about 100,000 residents—Buttigieg’s bold 2020 presidential bid propelled him into the national spotlight. His appeal to Democratic voters was fueled by his credentials as a veteran of the Afghanistan War, a former Navy intelligence officer, and an openly gay public official.
Buttigieg gained significant traction after strong performances in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries, briefly leading the Democratic field. However, financial constraints forced him out of the race following a fourth-place finish in the South Carolina primary. Soon after, he endorsed Joe Biden, who later appointed him as secretary of transportation.
By sidestepping the Michigan Senate race, Buttigieg can focus on connecting with everyday Americans from his home in Traverse City, where he resides with his husband and two children. This strategic decision allows him to stay engaged with voters beyond the political circles of Washington, D.C. According to David Axelrod, a key figure in Barack Obama’s historic 2008 campaign, this approach could be pivotal.
“The hardest decision in politics is to pass on a race you have a very good chance to win,” Axelrod told Politico. “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.”
One of the most significant factors shaping the 2028 race is Kamala Harris’s ability to take her time before making a decision about her next political step. Following her exit from the White House in January, speculation swirled about whether she would seek to reclaim the vice presidency under Joe Biden or pursue a gubernatorial bid in California in 2026—a race where she would instantly be a dominant force. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Biden’s running mate for the 2024 election, is weighing a potential candidacy of his own. Additionally, California Governor Gavin Newsom continues to maintain a prominent national presence, leading many to believe he is strategically positioning himself for a future White House bid.