Pete Buttigieg is considering Michigan’s Senate Race from 2026

On By Littum

Senator Gary Peter’s decision to retire has opened a Marquee Senate race in Michigan, a prominent battlefield state that President Trump flipped in November.

The announcement this week from Mr. Peters, a Democrat, put a flurry of political activity in Michigan – especially among his party’s deep bench of ambitious politicians, some of whom are also considering a run for governor.

Here is a snapshot of some of the people who may jump into the Senate competition:

Mr. Buttigieg, the former presidential candidate and transport secretary, is a relatively recent Michigan transplant growing up in Indiana and will be resident in Michigan In 2022 you moved to Traversse City.

“I have a lot of humility about having only moved to Michigan a couple of years ago,” he said in an interview last month and asked at that time a race for governor. “Although of course I grew up in the neighborhood.”

Mr. Buttigieg takes a “serious look” on a senate bid, according to a person with knowledge of his thinking, who on Tuesday insisted on anonymity to discuss the private considerations and added that he “explored all his opportunities.”

Mr. Buttigieg is also seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who is limited in 2026, quickly and colored out of strife for Mr. Peter’s seat on Tuesday.

“Three letters: NFW,” she said of the “view” by means of an abbreviation for “no way” with a expressive in the middle.

“I’ve got a lot of things I want to do as a governor. What’s coming after that? I don’t know yet, I really don’t, ”said Ms. Whitmer, also seen as a potential presidential candidate.

“I will never completely check out, but I might want to go the ground for a while and be recognized with my family and myself,” she added.

But her lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist II, who has looked at a bid for governor, is now also considering “seriously a race for the Senate, according to two people with knowledge of his thinking.

Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association will commit to spending seven numbers on Mr. Gilchrist’s behalf, if he runs for the Senate, Kevin Holst, the group’s CEO, said in a statement.

The state attorney, Dana Nessel, is also subject to term and cannot seek re -election in 2026, and she is mentioned by some Democrats as a potential competitor.

Lots of other Democrats, including federal and state legislators, Muller Run.

Mallory McMorRrow, a state -senior who won national democratic recognition in 2022 with a speech defending liberal values ​​while identifying herself as a “straight, white, Christian, married suburbs,” said she had not excluded a race for Neither Governor nor the Senate.

“I seriously look at both governor and senate seats and plan to have many conversations in the coming days to see where I might be best suited to serve Michiganders,” Ms. McMorrow, who lives in suburbs Detroit. In a SMS Tuesday.

House members who have won difficult races in the past also look at the Senate race, including the moderate representatives Haley Stevens, from suburbs Detroit and Hillary Scholten, from the Grand Rapid area.

Abdul El-Sayed, The Progressive Wayne County Health Director, who ran unsuccessfully against MS Whitmer in the 2018 primar, could also look at a bid.

Senator Tim Scott, president of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, had recruited to the Michigan seat for weeks prior to Tuesday’s announcement.

“My phone continues to call,” he said in an interview.

Among those considering a race is representative Bill Huizenga, according to a person with knowledge of his thinking. Representative John James and former representative Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost a Senate race last fall, also cite as possible candidates.

Tudor Dixon, who ran unsuccessfully against Mrs. Whitmer in 2022, is also a potential candidate for the Senate or Governor’s race. Tuesday, she wrote on social media That she “considered our future very seriously.”

Kevin Rinke, a former auto dealership owner who lost against Mrs. Dixon in the primary that year, could also jump into the race.

“One thing is for sure,” wrote on social media On Tuesday. “Michigan is open to taking. Keep an eye on. “

Reid J. Epstein contributed with reporting.