Buttigieg New Hampshire Appearance Sparks 2028 Speculation

Former presidential candidate and current Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is creating quite a buzz after a recent radio appearance.

Buttigieg traveled to New Hampshire for a talk-radio interview, which immediately got the rumors started that he could be setting the stage for another run at the White House in 2028.

Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg had a lot of steam early in the 2024 primary cycle, but he quickly fizzled out. Buttigieg knew his shelf life was not long, so he ended up pulling out early and endorsing Joe Biden, clearly having made a deal to be a cabinet official for Biden.

This time as the Secretary of Transportation has been anything but good, with a horrifying train derailment, numerous airline issues, and a rotting infrastructure. Yet, it would appear that he is now a popular choice for the 2028 race, at least among some pundits (I am not buying it).

To that point, after Buttigieg appeared on a New Hampshire radio show on Friday, the rumors started to fly.

Buttigieg has not yet committed to running, saying that he wants to take some time after leaving his post to be with his family, then he will make a decision. Buttigieg would be a dream candidate for the GOP, but his allure to the LGBTQ+ community would not make this an easy out for Republicans, as there would be plenty of people willing to vote for him solely because it would allow Democrats to check another box.

The Not Real Top Contenders

I know Harris will still be considered a top contender in 2028, but I just don’t see that happening unless she somehow manages to turn the opinion on her around.

Governor Pritzker of Illinois has also been named as a possible candidate, but he is far too progressive for voters in this country, and I have more faith in our voters to think that everyone wants the country to become Chicago.

I have also seen rumors that former New York Governor Cuomo could consider a run, but again, with the scandals attached to his name, it is hard to imagine he could generate enough positive momentum to mount a serious campaign.

The Contenders

Governor Whitmer, out of Michigan, is very much a player in this race, especially after saying she would work with Trump during this administration. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson stated, “People love her, even if they disagree with her. She has that unique combination of grit and grace — a workhorse who genuinely cares about people and doesn’t back down from a fight. She has what it takes to bring people together and lead our country.”

Democrats are dying to have the first female president elected to office, but the question is if Whitmer can raise her profile the level of someone like California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been making his move for the office since Joe Biden started to struggle. Newsom is a slick speaker even though he is a horrible candidate, but unfortunately, the presidency these days is more about popularity than policy.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is probably my favorite in this race. He is absurdly popular in the party, and a lot of people within the party were upset when Harris caved to the far left and took Walz over Shapiro, who would have delivered Pennsylvania for her and possibly even Michigan.

If I had to rank the candidates today, I would go Shapiro, Newsom-Whitmer, Harris, then the rest of the field. Notice I don’t even have Buttigieg as being in the bottom half of the field because I just don’t see him getting enough support over Shapiro, Whitmer, and Newsom to make a dent.