Pete Buttigieg says he’s ‘inclined’ to run for president in 2028

03 Aug 2026, 19:11 by Dave Goldiner · The Seattle Times

Pete Buttigieg on Monday said he’s “more inclined than not” to launch a 2028 Democratic run for the White House in what would be a second campaign to become the first openly gay president.

“I think I’m more inclined than not, but there’s so much we don’t know,” Buttigieg said on an episode of “The Diary of a CEO” podcast.

“There’s so much I don’t even know about what’s going to happen this year, let alone … later,” he added.

The 2020 primary candidate and transportation secretary in President Joe Biden’s administration said becoming the father of twins and being the victim of a swatting incident has made him think twice about the possible consequences of mounting a trailblazing campaign.

“That’s changed all of my equations,” Buttigieg said of the incident, which led to his briefly being prevented from seeing the 4-year-old sons he shares with husband Chasten Buttigieg. “It’s just something that you really sit with and take seriously, which you should.”

Both Buttigiegs were kept from seeing their children for about a day in June after an anonymous tipster claimed Pete Buttigieg had admitted to abusing other children several years ago. They were quickly cleared of any wrongdoing but Pete Buttigieg admitted he was shaken by the experience.

Buttigieg, 44, outperformed expectations as a moderate voice in the 2020 race as a youthful, little-known former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. He notably struggled with Black voters and eventually dropped out and endorsed Biden, who beat Trump to win a four-year term.

After Biden pulled the plug on his reelection bid amid questions about his age and fitness for office, Buttigieg was considered as a potential running mate by Vice President Kamala Harris who picked up the baton from Biden and lost to President Donald Trump.

Harris said in a memoir that she thought Americans voters might not be ready to support a ticket including a Black woman and an openly gay man.

The 2028 Democratic presidential primary race looks wide open. Buttigieg is among the potential front-runners along with Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., among others.

None of the Democrats has announced they’re running yet and most insiders expect the race to start to take shape only after the November midterms, when Democrats hope to retake control of Congress.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considered the leading Republican candidates in 2028, when Trump is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.

_____