Michigan Democrats look toward a future that some hope includes Pete Buttigieg

MONROE, MI — In a crowded union hall outside Detroit, an employee shifts the conversation from policy to the personal, questioning Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on his knowledge of Michigan, the state he only recently began to call home.

“Mayor Pete – Secretary Pete, my apologies,” an auto mechanic shouted from the crowd. “Now that you’re a Michigander, who are the Lions playing on Sunday?”

Caught off guard, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was unable to answer. Familiarity with the schedule of Detroit’s long-suffering but recently rising football team is not an official requirement for holding a statewide position. But the informal exchange illustrates the challenge Buttigieg may face in proving his connection to Michigan voters — a hurdle some Democrats nevertheless hope he will clear by entering a crowded gubernatorial race.

Although Buttigieg has stated publicly and privately that he will not make any decisions about his future until after the Biden administration ends on January 20, he has already received calls from Michigan Democrats urging him to enter the 2026 race to to replace the governor. Gretchen Whitmerwhich has a limited term.

Buttigieg, who moved to Traverse City, Michigan, shortly after his failed 2020 presidential campaign, has not ruled out the possibility, according to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

“I haven’t made any major decisions about my future. And I know we have six weeks left and we will sprint through the tape,” Buttigieg told reporters Monday at an event south of Detroit.

Bound by the nature of his official trip, Buttigieg avoided political questions during his visit, which included a stop at a union building in Dearborn before heading south of Detroit to highlight nearly $200 million in federal funding for a bridge replacement . But pressure on him to enter the race for governor is likely to increase after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who many Democrats believe will be the top contender to succeed Whitmer, announced last week plans to operate independently.

“People are shocked, stunned and angry. Many see this as a serious situation where Mike Duggan could put the governor’s mansion in Republican hands and reverse years of progress,” said Andrew Feldman, a Democratic strategist who has worked for the state party.

Michigan Democrats, who until recently had been achieve big victories were in a battleground state and were advancing a progressive agenda remarkable unity within the partythen suddenly find themselves in a new period of unrest significant losses in the 2024 elections, including a grueling one defeat in the presidential race.

president-elect Donald Trump won the state by a larger margin than in 2016, and Republicans regained control of the statehouse, ending Democratic dominance in the legislature. In the last month with narrow majorities in both chambers, the party has struggled to pass major legislation, hampered by internal divisions.

While Whitmer — herself the subject of speculation over whether she will seek higher office — has two years left in her term, Duggan’s surprise move has ignited the race to replace her and has Democrats concerned that the mayor of Michigan’s largest city could do this. taking away support from their candidate and handing the office to the Republicans.

Buttigieg, who rose to prominence during his 2020 presidential run and deftly engaged with conservative audiences on the president’s behalf Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harriscould have the pull to win back that support.

“I want to personally thank you for joining the Fox News crowd, listening to people’s questions and answering them. And I think you’re one of the few politicians who does that,” one attendee told Buttigieg in the union hall on Monday, earning loud applause.

Buttigieg moved to Michigan to be closer to his husband’s family, he said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday. “I grew up a few miles from the state line, so even growing up I got the news from Michigan and both sides of the state line. And I can point to a number of moments over the years, some wonderful and some very hard, like when our little man was in the intensive care unit in Grand Rapids.”

“But yeah, the bottom line is this is my home,” Buttigieg said.

Other potential candidates may not be ready to concede either race just yet. Michigan Democrats continue to hold one of the deepest political seats in the country, with a number of other high-profile candidates expected to enter the race soon.

State Secretary Jocelyn Benson confirmed last week that she is “certainly considering a bid from the governor” and is actively listening to constituents’ concerns as she weighs her decision. She also criticized Duggan for abandoning the party instead of grappling with its challenges.

“For me, it’s important that in moments like this we don’t run away from the party, but stay and solve it,” Benson said during a television interview with reporters.

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II is also considering a bid from the governor and has assembled a team to explore the possibility, although a final decision won’t be made until 2025, according to a source with direct knowledge. A 42-year-old Detroit resident, Gilchrist, who is black, could provide a stark contrast to the 66-year-old Duggan, who is white. If he runs, Gilchrist plans to engage with voters who feel the Democratic Party has failed to address their frustrations with the status quo, the source said.

There are also a number of dark horse candidates, including Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. The Flint-area sheriff rose to prominence after marching with a crowd of protesters in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020. Swanson, who spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, recently told the AP that he has a “team doing due diligence” on a potential run.

“When it comes to the Democratic Party in Michigan, this is an excellent time for them to restructure,” Swanson said during a recent interview. “To not have a polarizing platform, but a more unifying platform.”

“The entire playbook needs to be evaluated and restructured to listen to the people,” he added.