SAUGATUCK, Mich. (AP) — Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that he will not seek an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, a move that leaves the door wide open for him to seek a much bigger role as his party’s next presidential nominee.

Buttigieg wrote that he "seriously" considered running for office in 2026 but that the Democratic Party has a "deep and talented bench in Michigan."

Pete Buttigieg was 'seriously considering' running to replace Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in the 2026 Michigan Senate race. On March 13, the former transportation secretary ruled a Senate bid out, fre