Pete Buttigieg is set to announce on Thursday that he will not be running for Michigan’s open Senate seat. This decision leaves the possibility open for a potential presidential run in 2028, according to a report. The former Transportation Secretary had been considering a Senate campaign to replace retiring Democrat Gary Peters but has now decided against running, as confirmed by a source familiar with his decision. Allies of Buttigieg see this move as strategic in positioning him for a future presidential run, avoiding more challenging campaigns in 2026 and 2028. David Axelrod, a longtime Democratic operative, noted that passing on a winnable race is a tough decision in politics, recognizing Buttigieg as a strong candidate for the Senate. Winning the 2026 Senate seat could have ruled him out for a 2028 presidential bid, so by not running, Buttigieg keeps that option open. In the 2020 Democratic primary, Buttigieg was a contender but ultimately lost to Joe Biden. His decision not to run for the Senate sets him up for a potential presidential bid in 2028. Currently, Buttigieg trails behind Kamala Harris in early polling for the 2028 presidential race. Meanwhile, Harris is contemplating a 2026 California gubernatorial run. The expected announcement from Buttigieg leaves Democrats scrambling to find a candidate to fill the open Senate seat in Michigan, a pivotal swing state. Buttigieg, who changed his residency to Michigan in 2022, also decided against running for governor despite polling indicating he would have been a strong candidate.
