After a sound defeat in the November presidential election, Democrats are pondering their next moves to try to regain ground and support among voters; in particular, Michigan Democrats are considering the potential candidacy of Pete Buttigieg as the State’s next governor in 2026.
Buttigieg, the current U.S. Secretary of Transportation, could make history as the first openly gay governor of Michigan if he chooses to run.
Also, Dana Nessel, a lesbian and the state’s current attorney general, is the highest-ranking LGBTQ+ elected official in Michigan.
Consequently, a possible Buttigieg candidacy for governor would represent a step forward for the progressive and civil rights community.
Michigan’s current governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has two years left in office and will not be able to run again due to a bureaucratic issue about mandates, so Democrats fear they could lose control of the state once she leaves office.
Specifically, according to several news outlets, if the Democrats do not cohesively support one candidate, this could benefit the GOP, as Detroit mayor Mike Duggan has already stated that he intends to run as an independent.
The AP reports that Buttigieg, who relocated to Traverse City with his husband, Chasten, after his 2020 presidential campaign, has been approached by Michigan Democrats encouraging him to consider entering the race.
Such calls for support reflect the concerns of the Democratic Party in the state of Michigan after Donald Trump again won the state in last November’s election by a wider margin than in the 2016 election; in addition, Republicans also regained control of the House of Representatives, throwing Democrats’ priorities and political agenda into turmoil.
As a result, Buttigieg’s high profile of public and institutional relevance could bring back the momentum and restore hope to the Democratic Party. Buttigieg has already announced that he will not make any decision about his political and professional future until the Biden-harris administration ends its mandate next Jan. 20th.
What is certain is that the prospect of Buttigieg’s possible candidacy is generating confidence and enthusiasm within the party and especially in the LGBTQ+ community.
