Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday that he will not run for Michigan’s open Senate seat — which leaves the door open for a widely expected presidential run in 2028.

The former Transportation Secretary said he had “decided against competing” to be either Governor or senator, despite earlier saying he was “looking” at trying to replace retiring Democrat Gary Peters in one of the most competitive seats in the 2026 cycle

“While my own plans don’t include running for office in 2026, I remain intensely focused on consolidating, communicating, and supporting a vision for this alternative,” he wrote on X.

“The decisions made by elected leaders matter entirely because of how they shape our everyday lives – and the choices made in these years will decide the American people’s access to freedom, security, democracy, and prosperity for the rest of our lifetimes.”

His decision, first reported by Politico, was framed by allies as a move to put him in the best position for a future presidential run, all while avoiding more difficult-to-win campaigns in 2026 and 2028, a source briefed early on his decision told the outlet. 

“The hardest decision in politics is to pass on a race you have a very good chance to win,” longtime Democratic operative David Axelrod told Politico.

“Pete was an A-list recruit and would have been a formidable candidate for the Senate had he chosen to run.”

If Buttigieg won the seat in 2026, however, it would “almost certainly” take him out of the conversation for 2028, according to Axelrod.

“This certainly keeps that option open,” Axelrod added.

Buttigieg was also a candidate in the crowded 2020 Democratic primary race, which was won by former President Joe Biden.

Buttigieg currently only polls behind former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2028 presidential race. Harris, however, has been weighing whether she will wade into a more urgent political campaign.

The failed 2024 presidential candidate has reportedly been mulling over whether to launch a 2026 California gubernatorial run in a bid to succeed a termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.

She is slated to make a final decision on her next move by the end of the summer, Politico previously reported, citing two people familiar with her plans.

Buttigieg’s announcement leaves Democrats desperate to try and fill the seat being vacated by Peters in a crucial swing state that went President Trump’s way in November.

Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, Ind., changed his residency in 2022 to Michigan, which is his husband Chasten’s home state.