Former Biden Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg continues to force his way into the digital media sphere, defying traditional Democratic standards as talk of a presidential run grows.
The former secretary came to Washington this week to attend an event with Democratic content producers and make some media appearances, as talk mounts about a 2028 presidential run following Buttigieg’s revelation that he will not compete for the open Michigan Senate or gubernatorial seat.
Buttigieg spoke with the Washington Examiner about his views on new media, how to engage people who do not identify with established parties, the current political landscape, and what he is doing to assure the success of his party after leaving the Biden administration.
“I’m using my voice best I can in traditional media and new media, and I’m going to continue having conversations with neighbors, with voters, talking about how we could have a better way,” Buttigieg told the Washington Examiner. “I don’t know what that means for me, politically or professionally, a long way from making any decisions about that, but I know that’s what I need to be doing right now.”
Ezra Klein of the New York Times labeled Buttigieg the “Democratic Party’s acknowledged best-of-class communicator” last year, just weeks before the Democrats suffered a severe defeat in November.
Throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump made several visits on podcasts and forums popular among young people, one of which being Joe Rogan’s podcast.
“It’s certainly shadow primary season. Pete’s strategy so far is on point,” influencer and CEO of Girl and the Gov Sammy Kanter told the Washington Examiner.
“He’s going on podcasts, and with that, he’s meeting Americans where they are on both sides of the aisle. He’s interacting with creators and taking the online sphere in a serious manner, as it should be. And he’s excelling in that space because he is able to explain complex happenings in an approachable way,” Kanter continued.
In April, Buttigieg cleared the path for a 2028 presidential campaign after announcing that he would not run for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Although he had previously stated that he was “looking” at trying to unseat retiring Democrat Gary Peters in one of the most competitive seats in the 2026 cycle, the former Transportation Secretary stated that he had “decided against competing” to be either governor or senator.
“I care deeply about who Michigan will elect as Governor and send to the U.S. Senate next year, but I have decided against competing in either race. I remain enthusiastic about helping candidates who share our values – and who understand that in this moment, leadership means not only opposing today’s cruel chaos, but also presenting a vision of a better alternative,” he wrote on X.