Pete Buttigieg has made it clear that he will not be pursuing a gubernatorial run in Michigan and is instead contemplating a Senate bid in 2026, as per sources familiar with his plans.
The former transportation secretary and mayor of South Bend, who relocated to Traverse City, Michigan, in 2022, is now giving serious thought to a Senate campaign, one source revealed on condition of anonymity. The Detroit News was the first to report Buttigieg’s decision to forgo the governorship.
Shifting Priorities
Former presidential candidate Buttigieg had been considering a gubernatorial run or even a potential presidential bid in 2028, a path he may still pursue in the future. However, his political calculus took a swift turn this week following Michigan Senator Gary Peters’ announcement that he would not seek reelection in 2026, creating upheaval in the state’s Democratic landscape.
Buttigieg’s formidable political fundraising apparatus remains largely intact from his 2020 Democratic primary campaign, having raised over $15 million for the Harris-Walz ticket last year.
