Pete Buttigieg Says He Is Considering a 2028 Presidential Run

[babylonsister]

Imagine a smart president again? I'd absolutely vote for him!!


https://www.thedailybeast.com/pete-buttigieg-says-he-is-considering-a-2028-presidential-run/

Pete Buttigieg Says He Is Considering a 2028 Presidential Run
BUTTIGIEG 2028
Yasmeen Hamadeh
Night News Reporter
Published 05.13.25 7:34PM EDT

Pete Buttigieg floated the idea of potentially running for president in an interview Tuesday, saying he would “assess” a potential 2028 campaign by considering “what I bring to the table.” Speaking to Anand Giridharadas in a live interview on his Substack The Ink, Buttigieg described the process he typically follows to make political decisions. “There are times I’ve followed that process and decided to run, and there are times I’ve decided not to run. And the process can lead you to surprising places.” The former transportation secretary added that his children, 4-year-old twins Gus and Penelope, also factor into his decision-making, telling Giridharadas, “Having kids can motivate you to run, but it can also motivate you to spend more time at home.” President Donald Trump acknowledged that Buttigieg might be running for president in a jab last week, quipping to reporters at the Oval Office. “He’s actually a contender for president, between him and [Jasmine] Crockett you can have that party.”

[markie]

1. anyday

I will take Pete Buttigieg and Jasmine Crockett... wow, that would be a team

[bucolic_frolic]

2. This is a bit contrary

His quick mind and intelligence could make him the nominee. It would also expose our most vital principles and platform to GOP attacks, as well as to voters. Gay and married is not tolerable to a lot of the electorate, just look at trans backlash.

I hope he runs. He frames issues like few others.

[sop]

3. Pete 2028!

[Fiendish Thingy]

4. Sadly, unless something significant changes at the DNC...

The 2028 nominee will be a straight white male not named Shapiro or Newsom.

[lark]

9. Hmm, I don't know about that.

I think both of them have a substantial following and could easily end up being the candidate. I just think Buttigieg would be a better candidate, but that could be me seeing the world through rose colored glasses.

[Fiendish Thingy]

18. He would indeed be a great candidate

And president.

I just don’t see the party leaders supporting him, and not sure about donors either, and that would impact his ability to win either the primary or the general.

[lark]

23. Party leaders will back the most popular candidate and that could be him.

He can sweet talk the donors and they just may back him. He is very persuasive.

[SocialDemocrat61]

11. Probably a straight white Christian man

[Dulcinea]

55. Yep.

Sadly, his personal life is problematic to a lot of voters.

I would certainly vote for Pete, but it seems more likely to me that he'd win a senatorial election instead. Michigan has a seat open! That would also put to rest any talk that he's never won a big election.

[SocialDemocrat61]

56. I do to

I wished we lived in a country where a gay man or a woman could get elected.

[JI7]

13. What does the DNC have to do with this ? How will the DNC prevent Buttigieg from running ?

[Fiendish Thingy]

19. They won't prevent him from running

But they definitely could prevent him from winning the primary.

[JI7]

35. How ?

[Fiendish Thingy]

40. Probably similar to past primaries

A narrative will be developed, and spread via cooperative media voices, that it s the “turn” of a particular candidate to be the nominee, or that it is “inevitable” that a certain candidate will be nd up the nominee, or that a certain candidate is most “electable”.

Conversely, narratives will be spread that candidates considered undesirable by the DNC are “unelectable”.

It’s worked before, and I expect the same strategy will be tried in 2028 by those who think winning requires maintaining the status quo, and not breaking any barriers or rocking any boats- caution will be foregrounded and risk taking will be minimized.

In addition to the media assisting with this strategy, there will be numerous experts and pundits who will pontificate on how the Dems must play it safe and nominate a straight white male not named Shapiro- some are already hinting at that now.

[JI7]

46. These are conspiracy theories. And Pete Buttigieg actually won the Iowa caucus in 2020.

[Meadowoak]

15. Beshear.

[HereForTheParty]

24. We just had a woman of color nominated last year

nm

[Polybius]

45. That was an unusual situation, as the person who effectively won the nomination dropped out

[W_HAMILTON]

31. The Democratic voters will decide who our presidential nominee will be.

And any candidate that refuses to understand this is destined to lose, as have previous candidates that tried to claim """rigged!!1!""" for their failure to appeal to the broad coalition that makes up the Democratic base.

Spoiler alert: if you are choosing to play footsie with MAGA bros instead of building inroads with our black base of voters, you'll almost assuredly lose the nomination.

[anamnua]

47. Sadly, unless something significant changes psyche of the broad American electorate nt ....

[tulipsandroses]

5. Chump's bigotry on full display

He isn’t dog whistling, He’s using a bull horn. Yet the media just ignores it. Pete would be a fantastic president.

[Johnny2X2X]

6. I love Pete!

He's my favirte voice in our party.

But the country is not ready to elect a gay man as President and he would lose in a landslide.

[Bohunk68]

12. Ah, yes, "The country is not ready" argument.

Been hearing that all my life, and at 81, getting tired of it. It is brought out everytime any LGBT person is seen as leadership potential. The next line is, well, that's the way it is. So, what are you doing to change that? This forum is for people who see the need of all to have at least the opportunity.

[Johnny2X2X]

14. Winning is all that matters, period

We thought the country was ready for a feamle President, it wasn't, and we got Trump as a result.

[bcbink]

17. Thank you for saying this

I understand that my friends, myself and most of my family are ready. Although I am only a long time lurker here, I would like to say that I work in a healthcare not profit and most of my coworkers voted republican. They appear embarrassed sometimes but they shot us and our clients in the foot and heart.
They are not bad people and recognize that our work is doomed. They do not see their part in it.
We have to win.

[Johnny2X2X]

22. Here's more on my thought process

We have never had more qualified candidates for President than the Democratic Party has had 3 races in a row. Hillary was amazingly qualified. Biden was too obviously and won. Harris was amazingly qualifed and also ran a great campaign after picking a great running mate. Qualifications didn't matter. Harris and Hillary should have beaten that buffoon by a landslide, they didn't because of where the country is.

I hate it, it sucks, I really want a woman president as I think the country needs it. I think Buttigieg would be an amazing president and be wonderful foer the country. But I just don't think we can win running a gay man or a woman right now.

I remember talking to my friend's early 20s sons during the campaign, they were voting for Harris, but they were wishing she wasn't such a "woke" candidate. Things have changed, we just need to win in order to help the groups we want to help.

[Rebl2]

25. How in

the world do they not see their part in it🙄

[CrispyQ]

30. I have the same question.

Especially since so many of them have harped endlessly about personal responsibility, but when it comes to their three votes for a totally unqualified candidate, crickets. As he takes a sledge hammer to 250 years of work they're silent. I haven't heard a peep from my trumper relatives.

[Bettie]

16. Well, the two times we had a woman

at the head of the ticket, we lost.

Why? Because of people who said "I can't vote for HER".

Why do you think a gay man would fare any better with the bigots who seem to be the majority of people in this country?

Pete is AWESOME. He is smart and verbally quick, but this country doesn't have enough good people to elect anyone who isn't a straight white Christian man. They chose a felon, rapist, and serial cheater (in business and marriage) over a qualified woman.

I used to believe that there were more good people in this country than not. Turns out that is incorrect. At best we have equal numbers, at worst, well, look around.

[Scubamatt]

57. This is sad . . .

angering, frustrating and just plain wrong. BUT . . . it is also reality. This last election shows that too many people in this country are motivated by bigotry, prejudice, sexism and racism. Yes, we have to work to change that. But in the meantime, making sure that a Democrat is elected in the next election is paramount , regardless of whether we agree with 110% of the candidate's positions or they represent the best of our values. Electability is the key criteria, and too many people in this country are not ready for a gay president.

[Tom Rinaldo]

27. We need to weigh decisions with our eyes open

Many factors determine whether someone is or is not electable as President. Pete aces many of them, absolutely, Potentially he is electable. Whether he is likely to be elected is a different standard however. And that standard too needs to be honestly evaluated. The stakes are incredibly high.

Here is a relevant hypothetical for you. In 2028 how likely do you think it would be for the American electorate to elect a brilliant, likable, qualified, openly trans woman as President were one to run? I would say it would be extremely unlikely, even if the chances might otherwise be good for a strong generic Democratic candidate to win.

The same question could have been and indeed was raised in 2008 when Obama ran and won. That time it was; would the American electorate elect a brilliant, likable, qualified African American as President? For some voters I believe that Obama being Black was an advantage for them when they considered him. However I believe that Obama being Black was a disadvantage for more voters than it was an advantage. Still, he won. It IS possible for a great candidate to overcome a disadvantage. However, I believe had Obama literally identified himself with being a devout Muslim rather than as a practicing Christian, he would not have become president. Not in 2008.

We can't allow ourselves to be dictated to by prejudices. But we also can't afford to allow another horrific person be elected in 2028 who would destroy what is left of our democracy. Much as it shames me to admit it, the American electorate is closely divided. It likely won't take that much in either direction to sway the 2028 election one way or the other. I would not support either a Muslim, or an avowed Atheist for President in 2028, because I believe being either would doom their chances to win that year. That might not be the case in 2032, or 2036, depending on the make up of the electorate at that time.

Granted, I find it unlikely in the foreseeable future that it would be advantageous for a Presidential candidate to be Muslim, or Trans, but perhaps it will reach the point that, like with Obama in 2008, such a "disadvantage" can still be overcome.

If the stakes were a little bit less high, or if the perceived disadvantage a gay man might face attempting to win a presidential election were a little less daunting, I could easily support Pete for President in 2008. The way it stands, the way i see it, right now I can not.

[Attilatheblond]

34. Sad, but true. Many Americans just vote their bigotry rather than using their minds

Critical thinking still hasn't overcome bigotry.

Pete would be the BEST President. Sadly, America, on a whole, is just not wise enough for what is best.

[JustAnotherGen]

7. I'd love to see him run

[lark]

8. I hope he follows through with this. He would be my first choice as a candidate.

His communication skills and smarts puts him at the top for me!

[SocialDemocrat61]

10. Would love to see him in the White House

but echoing Jasmine Crockett, we need to play it safe in 28.

[valleyrogue]

20. Forget about it, Pete.

You have far, far less chance of being elected than Kamala Harris did.

[Celerity]

28. Who is your choice? TIA

[BannonsLiver]

33. Agree. He will never be president.

[Emile]

36. I think he would be great, but I don't think

he could win.

Whomever it is, it's got to be someone who is not centrist.

[dalton99a]

21. If Democrats want another electoral suicide

[pinkstarburst]

26. Pete is who I'm voting for

Pete is the smartest mind we have in the party.

I'm not ready to go down the road of "we can only have a straight white Christian male president." If we do that, we're counting out every female candidate, plus Josh Shapiro, JB Pritzker, Corey Booker, and lots of other candidates I think should have a shot.

2028 is going to be a change year. I think people are going to be so sick of Trump and his harmful policies what will hurt so many families that this is going to give us an edge. I am not prepared to go down the road of limiting ourselves to only 20% of the possible presidential candidates (the only one I even work up any enthusiasm for in the straight white Christian male category is Walz, btw.)

Pete's got my vote.

[Bohunk68]

59. So many above are saying that it would be nice, BUT

then go on with the white male is the only choice that people will do. The LGBT community is a reliable Democratic voting group and to continue to discard our possibility with Pete. While saying he is the smartest person in the room. What if, the LGBT community did as a large part of the muslim community did in Michigan in the last election? What if, we said fuck it this country doesn't represent us anymore and stayed home? Not likely, but if people continue to be put down, well........

[pinkstarburst]

60. I think Pete is inspirational

I think that just like in 2004 when Obama talked at the National Convention and got people's attention, Pete already has their attention, and will continue to sow hope and gain traction as he does town halls over the next 3 years.

2008 was a change year. And a Black man named Barack Hussein Obama got elected. Who could have seen that coming. 2028 will be a change year too. I don't think we should be discounting Pete.

In fact, I don't think we should be discounting a female President either. We very often follow a pattern in this country where we vote one party in for 4 or 8 years, then we vote the opposite party in. It is very unusual for the same party to win with different people back to back recently. So to me, Hillary's loss, and Kamala's loss are less about "we hate women and black women" (though it is partially about that) and more about anyone would have had a tough time winning in 2016 or in 2024. Voters were unhappy and wanted CHANGE. And when they want CHANGE, they will generally vote out the party in power, blaming them for inaction on whatever is not being changed the way they like it.

So I think Pete could win in 2028. And I think we all need to stop with the nonsense about only straight white Christian men from here on out. Why are we allowing the conservative racist bigoted Republican party to pick our candidate? That pisses me off. Why are we allowing Republican voters who are never going to change their vote to democrat to pick our candidate? We need to pick a candidate that is moderate, yes, but someone that democrats are excited about, like they were excited about Obama. And I think Pete has that energy. My Threads feed is EXPLODING with posts about Pete. There is so much enthusiasm.

[peggysue2]

29. Love Buttigieg!

Would love to see him run, too.

[JBTaurus83]

32. It is beyond early

but, I am predicting Beshear. as a member of the GLBT+ community myself though, I would be more than happy to see Pete run. I personally do not think he could get to 270 electoral votes, but hey, what do I know? Regardless, I believe he would be fantastic in any dem administration. I think he would be a great choice as Ambassador to the UN.

[EndlessWire]

43. I'd vote for Pete

He'd be a great President. But, if we can't have him as President, I'd appoint him Secretary of State. We need someone to go around and make up to all the countries of the world that the Orange asshole has hurt and offended. We are going to need a tremendous effort to fix what rump, et al. have broken. Pete can do that.

But, I'd sure like to see Pete as President. He won't be accepting $400 million bribes for himself. I think he would be balm for the country's soul. I don't pretend to know if he can win, but rumpy is hurting so many people, and being an absolute asshole about it, that I believe a lot of people who would otherwise withhold their vote will say, let's try. Especially since the likely opposition candidate will be Vance. That's who the Repubs will fight with, which isn't saying much for them. And, I can't see anyone else they have as being anywhere near as good as Pete. They will want to do another cult on us, but Vance doesn't have the hold that rumpy had. And, no matter who rump endorses, Pete has a shot.

Here's a thought: Pete resembles Zel, who is admired by millions around the world. Maybe this is not what we want to see, but it is a good associative image that might be irrisistable to yet another group of people who would vote for him. And, Pete can be tough as he needs to be. He can easily win debates against anyone the repubs put up. He has the energy and inner strength that we need to fix our now broken country. Think how happy the rest of the world would be to see this guy leading America. Someone who's incredibly smart, well balanced, and fair.

Yep, if he chooses to run, he's got my vote. Pair him with say, Swalwell, a 44-year old married white male who looks the part and can back him up. I also still like Walz, although that is based on my fantasy about Santa Claus. This is not to say that I don't want a female, but we had two qualified females lose to a felonious rapist who is now raping his voters, and scraping every last cent of the People's money into his own pockets.

It is not too early to jockey for position. I personally think that we will have to fight to have an election in 2028, but Pete would be my choice.

I hope the Repubs make the mistake of running a rump for President. Donald is almost universally loathed by the entire planet. He's the stupidist, most amoral President we have ever had. I think he/she would be rejected by a very tired electorate. Tired of hearing the obvious lies on a daily basis. Tired of the chaos, and danger. Tired of anything that reminds them of trump.

[SWBTATTReg]

37. I sure hope he gives it a shot, as well as other contenders too. That's why I like primaries, and the whole works

to get an assortment of well-qualified candidates to put forth. Our country certainly deserves better than the sloth we have now for president. One who just got bribed w/ a $400 million dollar plane, one that should have been politely declined immediately, w/ the emoluments clause still intact, that presidents can't take personal bribes.

[BlueTsunami2018]

38. Idiot, immature America won't vote for a gay man.

It’s unfortunate because I think he’d be a great candidate if all that was considered were policies and demeanor.

Sadly, people only consider the sexual aspect of gay people, particularly men. The dark money ads would be horrific.

[bif]

39. He might do better as a VP candidate

With Walz as president.

[awesomerwb1]

41. Half of the country thinks homosexuality is a sin

Under normal times, he may have a small chance of winning because he is great.

In the current political climate he has a great chance........... of losing big.

But Dems being Dems, will try again and fail again. Why don't they add AOC (who is also great) into the mix to double ensure the Dems get trounced in a presidential election.

[Callalily]

42. I'd vote for him in a heartbeat!

[Mountainguy]

44. Pete is risking becoming a serial candidate

He needs to get into a race, for a prominent position, that he can win. He hasn't held an elected office higher than mayor of a minor city. Another presidential run where he doesn't get the nomination and he's going to devolve into a political joke.

[Starbeach]

48. Bessent

Bessent - for better or worse - is laying some ground for more acceptance of gay officials. So there will be shifts of attitude in 2028 vs 2020.

[DenaliDemocrat]

49. Pete is a brilliant man, but I fear he'd lose the swing states

I just can’t see them electing a gay married man. I could be wrong, but there are plenty of voters who are bigoted.

[Ping Tung]

50. I imagine he will have a lot of competition in the primaries.

If he is nominated, would his being gay be a major factor in the primaries and/or general?

It would certainly be a measure of "live and let live" vs bigotry.

However, a guy named Obama got nominated and elected president twice despite many people even once would be impossible.

[Vinca]

51. I love Pete and supported him last time around. Unfortunately, at this point I don't know if he can win being

a gay man. It pains me to say that, but it seems all people vote for sometimes is who puts on the best show. How else could someone have voted for Obama and then switched to Trump? Guess I'm a real Debbie Downer today, but I currently don't think I'll see a woman win in my lifetime either. I should just stop thinking about it for now.

[CousinIT]

52. GOOD! Hed get my vote! nt

[helpisontheway]

53. And he will lose again do to the same assholes that won't

vote for a black woman. They will not vote for a gay man either.

[elleng]

54. GREAT news, for WE the People! NO ONE smarter!!!

but I'm concerned, all the b.s. he and the family will put up with.