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Report: Pete Buttigieg ‘Taking a Serious Look’ at Running for Michigan Senate Seat
mystery-ak:
Report: Pete Buttigieg ‘Taking a Serious Look’ at Running for Michigan Senate Seat
Simon Kent 28 Jan 2025
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is considering a return to public life by running for the Michigan senate seat soon to be vacated after the surprise retirement of Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Axios reported Tuesday.
Democrat Buttigieg is “taking a serious look”at putting his name forward in 2026, an anonymous source told the outlet, adding “He’s honored to be mentioned for this and he’s taking a serious look.”
He previously served as the 32nd mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, which earned him the nickname “Mayor Pete”.
Peters, who led the Democrats’ Senate campaign efforts the past two election cycles, has announced he will not seek a third term in 2026, creating a highly contested battleground seat expected to be coveted by both major political parties, AP reports.
The 66-year-old’s unexpected decision to step aside after just two terms poses a challenge for Democrats in Michigan during a period of political upheaval.
“After three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, I believe now is time for me to write a few more paragraphs in my current chapter and then turn over the reins,” Peters said in a YouTube video confirming his departure.
“I will therefore not seek reelection in 2026.”
Axios notes Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, had announced his plans to move to Michigan and raise his two young children in his husband’s home state.
He was expected to consider a bid for governor in a state President Donald Trump claimed in November.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/01/28/report-pete-buttigieg-taking-a-serious-look-at-running-for-michigan-senate-seat/
mountaineer:
So buttboy doesn't live in MI - "...plans to move to Michigan and raise his two young children in his husband’s home state ..." - but somehow is qualified to represent the people of that state. Being mostly Democrats, perhaps the Michiganders won't even be offended by his carpetbagging (carpet, not tea, lest anyone think I was casting aspersions on his proclivities).
Camp:
First let me thank and point out that Gary Peters is serving an appropriate and productive amount of time in DC. 20 years is enough for any rational and thoughtful person. Good decision to step aside.
Mayor Pete probably wrecked his national aspirations as Transport Sec under Biden.
Sunk by a Chinese Balloon and the Frances Scott Key Bridge fiasco's.
A Democrat can certainly retain that seat...Not Mayor Peter though.
Will be fun to watch.
rangerrebew:
Gary Peters retiring from Senate seat in battleground Michigan
Stef W. Kight
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is retiring, opening up a battleground Senate seat in the 2026 midterms.
Why it matters: It's a stunning announcement for a senator who led Democrats' Senate campaigns two cycles in a row. And it's an opening for Republicans in a state President Trump won in November.
The Detroit News broke the news Tuesday morning.
What he's saying: "I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation," Peters told reporter Melissa Nann Burke.
"I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life," said Peters. He has been a senator since 2015.
Zoom out: Michigan is ripe with rising Democratic stars, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Buttigieg is already "taking a serious look" at running, a source close to him told Axios.
https://www.axios.com/2025/01/28/gary-peters-retiring-senate-battleground-michigan
rangerrebew:
Retiring? Nah. The heat in the kitchen is reaching critical mass and he's getting out of Dodge. :tongue2:
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