Three Key Takeaways:
- Pete Buttigieg announced he would not run for Michigan’s open Senate seat, choosing to avoid the political responsibility tied to his disastrous tenure as Transportation Secretary, which included the East Palestine crisis and failed infrastructure spending.
- Buttigieg’s retreat signals his focus on a potential 2028 presidential run, while the Democrat establishment scrambles to find a replacement who can match his national fundraising network. This move speaks to his political ambition over addressing the struggles of Michigan families.
- The Republican Party sees Buttigieg’s decision as a sign of weakening Democrat influence in Michigan, with conservative leaders emphasizing the importance of securing American energy independence and borders, contrasting with Buttigieg’s liberal policies.
Chuck Schumer was blindsided when Michigan’s Democrat Senator Gary Peters announced he wouldn’t seek re-election.
The media began getting giddy over the thought of Pete Buttigieg running for the seat.
But Pete Buttigieg was left scrambling as Biden’s infrastructure disasters forced him to make this devastating decision.
Pete Buttigieg just announced he’s taking a hard pass on Michigan’s open Senate seat.
I care deeply about who Michigan will elect as Governor and send to the U.S. Senate next year, but I have decided against competing in either race.
I remain enthusiastic about helping candidates who share our values – and who understand that in this moment, leadership means not…
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) March 13, 2025
The timing? Well, it couldn’t be more telling.
The former Transportation Secretary – whose tenure was marked by one infrastructure crisis after another – quietly made his announcement Thursday.
And let’s be clear about what’s really happening here: This isn’t just about avoiding another political race. It’s about dodging responsibility for the mess he left behind.
Remember East Palestine? While toxic chemicals filled the Ohio air, Mayor Pete was nowhere to be found.
The infrastructure spending spree under his watch? Billions wasted with little to show for it.
These aren’t just talking points – they’re the reality that Michigan voters haven’t forgotten.
Sources close to the situation tell Politico that Buttigieg’s already got his sights set on 2028.
Imagine that. While everyday Americans are struggling to put food on the table thanks to Bidenomics, he’s plotting his next career move.
The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Michigan – a state President Trump carried – represents a crucial battlefield for 2024 and beyond. Buttigieg’s retreat speaks volumes about the growing strength of America First values in the heartland.
Now the Democrat establishment’s scrambling.
They’re floating names like State Senator Mallory McMorrow and Representative Haley Stevens as potential candidates. But here’s the catch – neither comes close to matching Buttigieg’s national fundraising network, built during his failed 2020 Presidential bid.
David Axelrod, ever the Democrat Party loyalist, tried putting a positive spin on things. “Pete was an A-list recruit,” he told Politico, conveniently ignoring the trail of bureaucratic disasters left in Buttigieg’s wake.
What’s particularly telling?
Recent polling shows Buttigieg trailing only Kamala Harris in hypothetical 2028 Democrat primary matchups. If these are their best options, it speaks volumes about the state of their party after four years of Biden-Harris leadership.
One commentator wrote on X, “I hope Pete Buttigieg runs for President and gets the Dem nominee. The guy left the FAA in shambles, took 6 months off because he ADOPTED, and in general did NOTHING GOOD as Secretary of Transportation.”
I hope Pete Buttigieg runs for President and gets the Dem nominee. The guy left the FAA in shambles, took 6 months off because he ADOPTED, and in general did NOTHING GOOD as Secretary of Transportation. https://t.co/rDAw8NCxaZ
— Just Regular Rob (@reg1776) March 13, 2025
Another added, “Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, admits he has no shot at winning Michigan’s Senate race and is now setting his sights on capturing enough states to secure the presidency. This degree of delusion is beyond comprehension…..all we can do is laugh.”
Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, admits he has no shot at winning Michigan’s Senate race and is now setting his sights on capturing enough states to secure the presidency. This degree of delusion is beyond comprehension…..all we can do is laugh pic.twitter.com/QJNNnxOFtL
— Dana Robinson (@conservativeoma) March 13, 2025
Meanwhile, Buttigieg’s husband and adopted children are staying put in their recently-purchased Traverse City home.
Makes you wonder – was this whole Michigan move just another calculated step in his political chess game?
The bottom line? While Buttigieg plays political hide-and-seek, Michigan families are living with the consequences of the Biden administration’s failed policies.
They deserve better than career politicians who cut and run when it’s time to face the music.
