Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is reportedly now allegedly considering running for the United States Senate in Michigan, following Sen. Gary Peters’ (D-MI) announcement that he will not run for re-election in 2026.
Buttigieg, who moved to Traverse City, Michigan, about two years ago, was considered a prospective candidate for Michigan governor in 2026, but now that Peters has announced his resignation, Buttigieg is considering a Senate run, according to The Detroit News, citing two anonymous sources.
The senator’s decision leaves the door wide open for the 2026 Michigan Senate election.
On Tuesday morning, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put an end to talks about her Senate candidacy, despite the fact that many political analysts believe she will run for president in 2028. Whitmer’s governorship will finish when her second term expires in 2026.
Peters will retire shortly after his Democratic colleague, Sen. Debbi Stabenow, who departed earlier this month.
In the 2026 midterm elections, the GOP will seek to capitalize on the open Senate seat and solidify its command on the chamber. Republicans haven’t won a Senate election in Michigan since 1994.
Michigan voters will elect their next governor in 2026.
Although several persons have expressed interest in the 2026 Senate race, no one has formally started a candidacy for the available seat.
Buttigieg served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, prior to his 2020 presidential campaign. Former President Joe Biden then appointed Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary.
Buttigieg faced criticism for his response to a number of transportation disasters, notably the train crash in East Palestine, Ohio, and the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
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