Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is "seriously focused" on a potential bid for Senate after ruling out a bid for Michigan governor.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is "taking a serious look" at running for the Michigan senate seat left open by the surprise retirement of Sen. Gary Peters, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Buttigieg would bring his national fundraising network to what is expected to be one of the most expensive Senate races in the country.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced this week he will not seek reelection, setting the stage for a potentially crowded 2026 race.

The former transportation secretary had been weighing a run for governor or a 2028 presidential campaign, which he could still pursue.

Multiple Michigan Democrats had identified Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pete Buttigieg as top possible Democratic contenders for the Gary Peters seat.

Buttigieg, who was mayor of South Bend, Indiana, moved to his husband Chasten’s home state of Michigan in 2020 after losing to President Biden in the Democratic primary that same year.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is eyeing a potential bid to represent Michigan in the US Senate after Democrat Gary Peters announced Tuesday he would not seek a third term, leaving open one of the most competitive seats in the 2026 cycle.

Pete Buttigieg, former US Secretary of Transportation and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, may reportedly consider a potential Senate run in Michigan in 2026, following Senator Gary Peters' announcement that he will not seek re-election.