Buttigieg Weighs Senate Run Amid Michigan’s Political Shifts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden’s Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is considering a bid for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by outgoing Representative Gary Peters, who announced he would not seek re-election in 2026.

Buttigieg met last week with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to discuss his potential candidacy in Michigan, a state pivotal for Democrats in the upcoming elections. Sources confirmed the meeting to Fox News Digital.

“Pete is exploring all of his options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve,” a source said. Buttigieg, who rose to national prominence during his 2020 presidential campaign, is regarded as one of the Democratic Party’s rising stars.

Peters, who announced his retirement, expressed to the Detroit News his belief in the need for generational change in politics, stating, “I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation.”

Alongside Buttigieg, state Senator Mallory McMorrow has emerged as another likely candidate, known for her impactful address in 2022 countering GOP narratives. Other potential Democratic contenders include Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Representative Haley Stevens.

On the Republican side, former Congressman Mike Rogers has indicated he might run again for the Senate after narrowly losing to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in the 2024 election. Rogers, who previously chaired the House Intelligence Committee, is the first Republican to publicly signal interest in the race.

Political analysts consider the Michigan Senate race a toss-up as the Republicans currently hold a narrow 53-47 advantage in the Senate. The recent midterm elections saw the GOP flip four Senate seats, but they typically face challenges during midterms.

Several other states are also on the political battleground horizon for 2026, including Georgia, where Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff may be vulnerable, and New Hampshire, where incumbent Senator Jeanne Shaheen‘s future remains uncertain.

As the election draws closer, Republicans are strategizing to defend incumbent seats while simultaneously targeting Democratic strongholds like Minnesota, where Senator Tina Smith will not seek re-election.

Julia Johnson of Fox News Digital covers the U.S. Senate elections and offers insights into the ever-evolving political landscapes.