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highplainsdem

(53,937 posts)
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:32 PM Jan 28

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

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

35 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Scoop: Pete Buttigieg taking "serious look" at Michigan Senate race in 2026 (Original Post) highplainsdem Jan 28 OP
It would be an honor and privilege to have him represent my state... MiHale Jan 28 #1
I'll support that Topomi Jan 28 #2
It's wonderful news! Will others in Ilsa Jan 28 #5
Pete is a Michigan resident... MiHale Jan 28 #10
I didn't know Chasten was from Traverse City, but I Ilsa Jan 28 #23
Once you breathe our air and drink our water... MiHale Jan 28 #30
I agree! MIButterfly Jan 28 #27
This message was self-deleted by its author MIButterfly Jan 28 #28
This message was self-deleted by its author MIButterfly Jan 28 #29
ALWAYS True Dough Jan 28 #3
Peters Old Okie Jan 28 #4
I'm sorry. I thought that Pete was from Indiana. Yavin4 Jan 28 #6
... Crepuscular Jan 28 #7
Oh. Yavin4 Jan 28 #8
The Constitution requires that Senators be "an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen" Jose Garcia Jan 28 #12
Pete Buttigieg and his family are residents of the state of Michigan FakeNoose Jan 28 #15
Besides, nobody wants to live in Indiana - America's truck stop. Hassin Bin Sober Jan 28 #31
That drive through Gary Indiana is the absolute worst FakeNoose Jan 28 #33
He was. He served as the mayor of South Bend a while back. 3catwoman3 Jan 28 #19
He's also a graduate of University of Notre Dame, and that's not shabby either FakeNoose Jan 28 #35
Pete has got my vote! rogerballard Jan 28 #9
Senator Buttigieg has a beautiful ring to it! madaboutharry Jan 28 #11
I'm hoping Mr Buttigieg will be President in a restored democracy. NNadir Jan 28 #13
Same. ancianita Jan 28 #14
My 3auld6phart Jan 28 #17
A first step catchnrelease Jan 28 #20
I like him. Oopsie Daisy Jan 28 #16
He's done well at all he's tries so far. Probably be a good one... Wounded Bear Jan 28 #18
Here is a link to Pete's appearance on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me... 3catwoman3 Jan 28 #21
He is welcome here. But, to unseat a Repub elsewhere might do more. Festivito Jan 28 #22
I'm with Pete! Mrsfiddlegirl Jan 28 #24
Great!! I'll vote for him and I live in Kansas..... Bengus81 Jan 28 #25
Governor Whitmer indicated she was not interested in running for the Senate seat on The View this morning. Wiz Imp Jan 28 #26
I have a huge problem with this. Bleacher Creature Jan 28 #32
Go Pete! Here's to hoping we make it to midterm elections. nt SupportSanity Jan 28 #34

Ilsa

(62,493 posts)
5. It's wonderful news! Will others in
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:59 PM
Jan 28

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

(11,249 posts)
10. Pete is a Michigan resident...
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 01:30 PM
Jan 28

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

Ilsa

(62,493 posts)
23. I didn't know Chasten was from Traverse City, but I
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 04:42 PM
Jan 28

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!

MIButterfly

(70 posts)
27. I agree!
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 05:14 PM
Jan 28

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

Response to MIButterfly (Reply #27)

Response to MiHale (Reply #1)

Old Okie

(220 posts)
4. Peters
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:54 PM
Jan 28

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.

Crepuscular

(1,065 posts)
7. ...
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 01:06 PM
Jan 28

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

Jose Garcia

(3,062 posts)
12. The Constitution requires that Senators be "an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen"
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 02:03 PM
Jan 28

It doesn't set a period of residency.

FakeNoose

(36,557 posts)
15. Pete Buttigieg and his family are residents of the state of Michigan
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 02:56 PM
Jan 28

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

(26,882 posts)
31. Besides, nobody wants to live in Indiana - America's truck stop.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 06:43 PM
Jan 28

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

FakeNoose

(36,557 posts)
33. That drive through Gary Indiana is the absolute worst
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 07:06 PM
Jan 28

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

3catwoman3

(26,152 posts)
19. He was. He served as the mayor of South Bend a while back.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 03:05 PM
Jan 28

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

(36,557 posts)
35. He's also a graduate of University of Notre Dame, and that's not shabby either
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 07:19 PM
Jan 28

I believe Pete Buttigieg is the future of our Party.

madaboutharry

(41,619 posts)
11. Senator Buttigieg has a beautiful ring to it!
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 01:47 PM
Jan 28

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

NNadir

(35,131 posts)
13. I'm hoping Mr Buttigieg will be President in a restored democracy.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 02:07 PM
Jan 28

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

(39,567 posts)
14. Same.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 02:17 PM
Jan 28

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

(1,410 posts)
17. My
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 03:00 PM
Jan 28

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

(2,040 posts)
20. A first step
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 03:07 PM
Jan 28

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.

Wounded Bear

(61,282 posts)
18. He's done well at all he's tries so far. Probably be a good one...
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 03:01 PM
Jan 28

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

3catwoman3

(26,152 posts)
21. Here is a link to Pete's appearance on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me...
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 03:07 PM
Jan 28

...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

Mrsfiddlegirl

(29 posts)
24. I'm with Pete!
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 04:43 PM
Jan 28

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.

Wiz Imp

(3,666 posts)
26. Governor Whitmer indicated she was not interested in running for the Senate seat on The View this morning.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 04:53 PM
Jan 28

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

(11,488 posts)
32. I have a huge problem with this.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 06:56 PM
Jan 28

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!

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