Scoop: Pete Buttigieg taking "serious look" at Michigan Senate race in 2026

[highplainsdem]

Source: Axios

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is "taking a serious look" at running for the Michigan senate seat left open by the surprise retirement of Sen. Gary Peters, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Buttigieg would bring his national fundraising network to what is expected to be one of the most expensive Senate races in the country.

"Pete is exploring all of his options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve," said a person close to Buttigieg.

-snip-

What he's saying: "Senator Gary Peters has served with great integrity, focus, and expertise. It was a pleasure working with him as Secretary to deliver good policies for our country and key transportation projects in Michigan," Buttieg posted today on X.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/28/pete-buttigieg-michigan-senate

[MiHale]

1. It would be an honor and privilege to have him represent my state...

[Topomi]

2. I'll support that

[Ilsa]

5. It's wonderful news! Will others in

Michigan accept him as their "home-boy" or will they see him as a political interloper? I can easily understand why he wouldn't want to run in Indiana. As smart as he is, I'm betting he can formulate policies for the benefit of his new home state.

[MiHale]

10. Pete is a Michigan resident...

His husband Chasten is from Traverse City and they have a home there.

[Ilsa]

23. I didn't know Chasten was from Traverse City, but I

knew that they moved there, I guess from Indiana, sometime after the 2020 election, or was it before? Five years in MI should be enough time for him to become an established Michigander.

I hope he runs!

[MiHale]

30. Once you breathe our air and drink our water...

You are a Michigander.

[MIButterfly]

27. I agree!

Please let it be so. That's a choice I could really get behind. Good-bye Peters and hello Pete!

[True Dough]

3. ALWAYS

support the venerable Pete Buttigieg!!!

[Old Okie]

4. Peters

Don't understand why Peters voted for the Laken-Riley Act if he was going to bail; made me sorry for having donated to his campaign.

[Yavin4]

6. I'm sorry. I thought that Pete was from Indiana.

How can he run in MI?

[Crepuscular]

7. ...

He lives in Michigan, he and Chasten moved back to Chastens hometown 3 years ago to raise their family.

[Yavin4]

8. Oh.

I did not know that.

[Jose Garcia]

12. The Constitution requires that Senators be "an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen"

It doesn't set a period of residency.

[FakeNoose]

15. Pete Buttigieg and his family are residents of the state of Michigan

He grew up in South Bend Indiana, and lived there for several years ... which is about 10 miles from the Michigan border. For most of us Americans, "10 miles away" is pretty close to living in the same neighborhood.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

31. Besides, nobody wants to live in Indiana - America's truck stop.

I feel like I’m going through occupied territory leaving Illinois going to our place in Michigan

[FakeNoose]

33. That drive through Gary Indiana is the absolute worst

I've never lived in Gary, maybe it's nice there, but I doubt it.

[3catwoman3]

19. He was. He served as the mayor of South Bend a while back.

I first learned of Pete when he was a gest on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me during his time as mayor. I was instantly impressed.

Here's a link to that WWDTM episode - definitely worth a listen.

[FakeNoose]

35. He's also a graduate of University of Notre Dame, and that's not shabby either

I believe Pete Buttigieg is the future of our Party.

[rogerballard]

9. Pete has got my vote!

For sure, go Pete!

[madaboutharry]

11. Senator Buttigieg has a beautiful ring to it!

Pete Buttigieg would have financial support from all across the nation if he decides to run, which I hope he does.

[NNadir]

13. I'm hoping Mr Buttigieg will be President in a restored democracy.

It's a fond wish; one I'm sure I will not live to see, but one I hope will cause my son's to say, "Dad would have loved this."

[ancianita]

14. Same.

He'd need the congressional experience to run, and wouldn't need any Silicon Valley money to win. Just being his usual brilliant self in a national debate would be enough.

[3auld6phart]

17. My

Thoughts are the same. I know l have no axe to grind in your politics … Pete would be a great pOTUS. Right now for the sake ofmankind, somebody has t start getting rid of that phat orange imbecile.

[catchnrelease]

20. A first step

Like you I probably won't live long enough to see it happen either, but I'm guessing/hoping that this would be a first step towards the White House for Pete.

[Oopsie Daisy]

16. I like him.

[Wounded Bear]

18. He's done well at all he's tries so far. Probably be a good one...

We can't let the R's flip that seat.

[3catwoman3]

21. Here is a link to Pete's appearance on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me...

...which aired during his time as mayor of South Bend. As I said upthread, this was the first I'd ever heard of him, and I was instantly impressed and have remained so.

https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/584630104/wait-wait-for-feb-10-2018-with-not-my-job-guest-pete-buttigieg

[Festivito]

22. He is welcome here. But, to unseat a Repub elsewhere might do more.

[Mrsfiddlegirl]

24. I'm with Pete!

I'm old and retired now but I'll pitch in and do everything in my power to campaign for "Senator Pete". It's a perfect stepping stone to "President Pete". That sure has a nice ring to it.

[Bengus81]

25. Great!! I'll vote for him and I live in Kansas.....

[Wiz Imp]

26. Governor Whitmer indicated she was not interested in running for the Senate seat on The View this morning.

However, she would not rule out possible interest in a Presidential run in 2028. She is term limited out of office after 2026.

[Bleacher Creature]

32. I have a huge problem with this.

My problem is that I don't live in Michigan and won't be able to vote for him!!

He would be an AWESOME Senator!

[SupportSanity]

34. Go Pete! Here's to hoping we make it to midterm elections. nt