Buttigieg wants to make a political comeback.
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who was the Democratic candidate for president in 2020, is reportedly weighing the possibility of running for the U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2026 a state which Trump won in 2024. This comes after incumbent Senator Gary Peters announced he would not seek re-election. Buttigieg, a rising star within the Democratic Party, is said to be exploring his options, eager to continue his political career and make an impact. Sources close to the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, shared with Fox News Digital that Buttigieg is “honored” to be considered and is seriously considering the Senate race.
The news was first revealed by Axios, and Buttigieg’s potential Senate bid could add a new layer of competition for Republicans, especially in a state like Michigan, which has become a key battleground. Gary Peters, who has served Michigan in Congress since 2009, made his intentions clear when he told the Detroit News that he was stepping away to allow the next generation of leadership to take charge. Peters reflected on his time in office, noting that he had always planned to serve only a few terms before returning to private life. Despite his tenure, Michigan voters have grown increasingly disillusioned with the direction of the state under Democratic leadership.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) quickly responded to Peters’ exit, claiming that no Republican has won a Michigan Senate race in 30 years, even as Donald Trump triumphed in the state in 2016. According to the DSCC, Democrats will maintain control of the seat in 2026. But National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., fired back, emphasizing that Michigan deserves better leadership than what Peters and the Democrats have provided. Scott pointed to Michigan’s struggling auto industry, illegal immigration issues, and high taxes as key failures of Democratic governance. Republicans, Scott argued, are ready to present a strong alternative to restore the economic prosperity and security Michigan and America need.
As Buttigieg prepares to enter the political fray once again, it’s clear that Michigan’s Senate race will be one to watch in 2026. Republicans are determined to take back the Senate seat and flip the state’s trajectory back to a common-sense, pro-growth agenda, standing firmly with President Trump’s vision for America’s future.