The former transportation secretary, who moved to Michigan from Indiana in 2022, had been seen as the most prominent potential candidate in next year’s marquee contest.

Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday he will not run for Michigan’s governorship or the state’s open US Senate seat in 2026, setting up a potential presidential bid in 2028.

Buttigieg was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, despite his highest elected office being the mayor of his hometown. He parlayed that into a role in