WASHINGTON ― Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday morning that he has decided against running for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat or for governor next year, saying his plans don't include running for office in 2026.
"I care deeply about the outcome of both races, but I have decided against competing in either. My party has a deep and talented bench here in Michigan, and I am certain that we will nominate an outstanding candidate for each office," Buttigieg wrote in a post on Substack.
"Here in Michigan and around the country, 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."
By passing on bids for the Senate and governor in Michigan, the Traverse City Democrat opens a path for himself to possibly mount a second run for the White House in 2028 if he so chooses. The news was first reported by Politico.
Buttigieg has a well-known name after his prior campaign for president and four years as head of the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Joe Biden.
He had been floated as a potential candidate for governor in 2026 when two-term Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term limited and can't run again, and also for Senate after Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, said this year that he won't seek a third term.
Buttigieg is also known as "Mayor Pete" for his time as mayor of South Bend in Indiana. Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten, moved to northern Michigan after they became parents in 2021, he said (Chasten is originally from Traverse City). Buttigieg said in his Thursday post that he has spent the weeks since he left office in January tackling "neglected" work at home and "making up for lost time" with his family, including his twins are now in preschool.
Peters' decision to retire sparked a scramble on both sides of the aisle this winter for an edge in what promises another competitive contest for the battleground seat.
Michigan last year hosted one of the most competitive Senate contests nationally in the race to succeed U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, who retired after 24 years in the Senate. In that case, Democratic leadership coalesced around U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Holly as the party's nominee, and she narrowly defeated GOP nominee Mike Rogers 48.6%-48.3%, in November.
Other Democrats who are are said to be seriously considering a Senate campaign include U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens of Birmingham and Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Abdul El-Sayed, a former candidate for governor and Wayne County's health director.
On the Republican side, Rogers of White Lake Township has teased another Senate campaign, saying he's "strongly considering" another bid. Axios reported Wednesday that Rogers has hired President Donald Trump's 2024 co-campaign manager, Chris LaCivita.
Other potential Republican contenders for a Senate run include U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland; state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater; and former gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon.
Among those who have taken themselves out of the running for Senate are Whitmer; U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor; Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit; and Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township; former football coach and Jackson native Tony Dungy and businessman and former GOP gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson.
Michigan primary voters will choose their party's next U.S. Senate nominees in August 2026.
