Buttigieg Signals His Next Move—And It's Bigger Than the Senate The former Transportation Secretary hints at a larger political ambition.

Pete Buttigieg is set to announce Thursday that he will not run for Michigan’s open Senate seat, according to a source familiar with his decision—clearing the way for a potential presidential bid.

Allies and close advisers suggest the move positions him strategically for a White House run, citing concerns about the challenges of back-to-back campaigns in 2026 and 2028.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently acknowledged he had been considering a Senate run, even meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to discuss the possibility.

Democrats are racing to defend the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters in the crucial swing state, while Republicans see a prime opportunity to flip it after nearly winning Michigan’s other Senate seat last cycle.

After serving in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet for four years, Buttigieg moved to Traverse City, Michigan, with his young family. The demands of his Cabinet role—including extensive travel—and the prospect of launching another campaign soon after factored into his decision, according to those close to him.

Before ruling out a Senate bid, Buttigieg had also declined to run for Michigan governor. Polling suggested that had he entered the race, he would have started as the clear frontrunner in a Democratic primary.

“The hardest decision in politics is passing on a race you have a strong chance to win,” said David Axelrod, a veteran Democratic strategist who helped lead Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns and serves as a mentor to Buttigieg. Speaking with him on Wednesday, Axelrod added, “Pete was an A-list recruit and would have been a formidable Senate candidate. But winning in 2026 would have likely taken him out of the conversation for 2028. This decision keeps that door open. Beyond that, I get the sense he wants to spend more time with his family and engage with communities like his, where the conversations and concerns differ from those in Washington’s echo chamber.”

Buttigieg’s choice reshapes the Democratic primary for a Senate seat the party is eager to hold, especially after Donald Trump’s victory in Michigan last November. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow has informed Michigan Democrats she will enter the race, while Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) has begun laying the groundwork for a Senate bid, including hiring staff.

"He wanted to make a decision quickly enough to give others the opportunity to organize their campaigns if they chose to run," said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who spoke with Buttigieg multiple times during his deliberation. "He approached it thoughtfully and responsibly. He’s a rising star in the Democratic Party."

Now, Buttigieg is setting his sights on a 2028 presidential run, where he currently polls behind only his party’s most recent standard-bearer, former Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris, meanwhile, is weighing a potential bid for California governor.

Buttigieg has maintained a strong fundraising network within the Democratic Party, having raised over $15 million for the Harris-Walz campaign last year. However, if he runs for president, his association with the unpopular Biden administration could be a challenge. At the same time, the post-2024 political landscape presents opportunities, particularly as Democrats seek new ways to connect with voters—something Buttigieg has long prioritized in his political strategy.

As he considers a campaign, Buttigieg has been increasing his public visibility—a trend that will continue, according to a source familiar with his plans. In the past week alone, he appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, hosted an AMA on Bluesky, and joined an Instagram chat with independent veteran advocate Paul Rieckhoff. During their conversation, they discussed Elon Musk and recent cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs by the Department of Government Efficiency.

“We need you now more than ever,” Rieckhoff told Buttigieg, openly encouraging him to run for president.