Mayor Pete for governor? Michigan Democrats look to Buttigieg as next state leader

(AP) MONROE, MIIn a crowded union hall outside of Detroit, a worker questions Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about Michigan, the place he has only lately begun to call home, turning the discussion from policy to the personal.

One of the car mechanics shouted from the audience, “Mayor Pete Secretary Pete, I apologize,” “Now that you re a Michigander, who do the Lions play Sunday?”

The previous mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was caught off surprise and was unable to respond. Officially, being familiar with the schedule of Detroit’s long-suffering but recently successful football team is not a requirement for statewide office. However, the informal conversation highlights the difficulty Buttigieg may encounter in demonstrating his affinity with Michigan voters—a obstacle that some Democrats still think he will overcome by running in a competitive gubernatorial campaign.

Buttigieg has received calls from Michigan Democrats pushing him to run in 2026 to succeed term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer, despite his public and private declarations that he will not make any decisions regarding his future until the Biden administration concludes on January 20.

According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity to share private talks, Buttigieg, who relocated to Traverse City, Michigan, shortly after his failed 2020 presidential campaign, hasn’t ruled out the option.

“I haven’t made any significant decisions on my future. At an event on Monday south of Detroit, Buttigieg told reporters, “And I know that we have six more weeks and we’re going to sprint through the tape.”

During his tour, which included a stop at a union hall in Dearborn before traveling south of Detroit to promote almost $200 million in federal assistance to fix a bridge, Buttigieg steered clear of political issues due to the formality of his trip. However, after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who many Democrats believe would be the front-runner to succeed Whitmer, said last week that he would run as an independent, pressure on him to run for governor will probably only increase.

“People are furious, outraged, and surprised. According to Democratic strategist Andrew Feldman, who has worked for the state party, “many see this as a serious situation where Mike Duggan could hand over the governor’s mansion to Republicans and undo years of progress.”

Following severe losses in the 2024 election, including a humiliating loss in the presidential contest, Michigan Democrats, who until recently had been racking up significant victories in a battleground state and advancing a progressive agenda with remarkable party unity, suddenly find themselves in a new period of turmoil.

Republicans regained control of the state House, ending Democratic domination in the Legislature, while President-elect Donald Trump won the state by a larger margin than in 2016. Internal differences have hindered the party’s ability to pass important legislation in their last month with a slender majority in both chambers.

Duggan’s unexpected move has sparked the race to succeed Whitmer, who is still two years into her term and the focus of speculation about whether she will run for higher office. Democrats are concerned that the mayor of Michigan’s largest city may turn away their support and give the position to Republicans.

Buttigieg, who rose to notoriety during his 2020 presidential campaign and skillfully interacted with conservative audiences on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, may be able to regain that support.

“I want to express my gratitude to you for standing in front of the Fox News audience, listening to their questions, and responding. At the union hall on Monday, Buttigieg was greeted with thunderous ovation when a participant said, “And I think you’re one of the few politicians that does that.”

In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Buttigieg stated that he relocated to Michigan in order to be nearer to his husband’s family. “Even as a child, I was receiving news from Michigan on both sides of the state boundary because I was raised a few miles from it. And I could name a lot of amazing and incredibly difficult times over the years, like when our little child was in Grand Rapids’ intensive care unit.”

Buttigieg remarked, “But, yeah, bottom line, this is home,”

Other contenders might not be prepared to give up either race just yet. With a number of other well-known candidates anticipated to enter the race shortly, Michigan Democrats continue to have one of the most diverse political benches in the nation.

Last week, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson stated that she is “certainly considering” running for governor and that she is actively listening to the concerns of voters before making her choice. She also chastised Duggan for leaving the party instead of addressing its problems.

In a televised interview with reporters, Benson stated, “I think it’s important that in times like this, we don’t run from the party, but we stay and fix it.”

According to a source with firsthand information, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II is also thinking about running for governor and has put together a team to investigate the possibilities; however, a final decision won’t be made until 2025. Gilchrist, a 42-year-old Black Detroit native, may make a striking contrast to Duggan, 66, who is white. According to the source, Gilchrist intends to reach out to those who believe the Democratic Party has not adequately addressed their dissatisfaction with the current situation if he runs.

Chris Swanson, the sheriff of Genesee County, is one of the dark horse contenders. After he marched with a group of demonstrators following George Floyd’s death in 2020, the sheriff from the Flint region gained notoriety. Swanson recently told the AP that he had a “team doing due diligence” regarding a potential run after speaking at the Democratic National Convention in August.

In a recent interview, Swanson stated, “It is a prime time for the Democratic Party in Michigan to restructure.” “To not have a polarizing platform, but a more unifying one.”

“The entire playbook has to be evaluated and restructured to go and listen to the people,” he stated.

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