'%3E%3Cpath d='M16.3574 35.6519H12.9537L15.0491 18.8873L16.3574 35.6519ZM30.4229 54.0093L22.309 0.994385H7.91795L0 54.0093H10.6634L11.5802 46.3855H17.4014L17.9914 54.0093H30.4229Z' fill='%23971B20'/%3E%3Cpath d='M48.2073 41.8813C48.2073 43.4049 47.4892 44.0011 46.1144 44.0011H43.7595V11.0687H46.1144C47.4892 11.0687 48.2073 11.6636 48.2073 13.1885V41.8813ZM59.5273 43.6695V11.3326C59.5273 3.71323 53.5729 0.994385 47.8157 0.994385H31.7213V54.0093H47.8157C53.5729 54.0093 59.5273 51.29 59.5273 43.6695Z' fill='%23971B20'/%3E%3Cpath d='M90.183 0.994385H78.6039L75.0711 30.6157L71.9955 0.994385H59.4346L69.2474 54.0093H80.373L90.183 0.994385Z' fill='%23971B20'/%3E%3Cpath d='M107.063 42.3448C107.063 43.7359 105.951 44.5974 104.643 44.5974C103.269 44.5974 102.157 43.7359 102.157 42.3448V12.658C102.157 11.2676 103.269 10.4058 104.643 10.4058C105.951 10.4058 107.063 11.2676 107.063 12.658V42.3448ZM119.233 43.2723V11.7312C119.233 6.36384 112.952 -3.8147e-06 104.643 -3.8147e-06C96.2667 -3.8147e-06 89.9867 6.36384 89.9867 11.7312V43.2723C89.9867 48.6393 96.2667 55 104.643 55C112.952 55 119.233 48.6393 119.233 43.2723Z' fill='%23971B20'/%3E%3Cpath d='M150.976 43.9349V33.7309H139.069V42.3448C139.069 43.7359 137.957 44.5974 136.582 44.5974C135.076 44.5974 133.964 43.7359 133.964 42.3448V12.658C133.964 11.2676 135.076 10.4058 136.582 10.4058C137.957 10.4058 139.069 11.2676 139.069 12.658V21.2723H150.976V11.0687C150.976 5.70107 145.283 -3.8147e-06 136.582 -3.8147e-06C127.75 -3.8147e-06 121.796 5.70107 121.796 11.0687V43.9349C121.796 49.3022 127.75 55 136.582 55C145.283 55 150.976 49.3022 150.976 43.9349Z' fill='%23971B20'/%3E%3Cpath d='M167.478 35.6519H164.076L166.17 18.8873L167.478 35.6519ZM181.544 54.0093L173.432 0.994385H159.037L151.123 54.0093H161.785L162.704 46.3855H168.523L169.114 54.0093H181.544Z' fill='%23971B20'/%3E%3Cpath d='M205.412 10.4058V0.994385H177.081V10.4058H185.392V54.0093H197.428V10.4058H205.412Z' fill='%23971B20'/%3E%3Cpath d='M230.002 54.0093V43.9349H218.914V31.8746H226.635V21.8028H218.914V10.4058H230.002V0.994385H206.875V54.0093H230.002Z' fill='%23971B20'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3Cdefs%3E%3CclipPath id='clip0_260_7080'%3E%3Crect width='230' height='55' fill='white'/%3E%3C/clipPath%3E%3C/defs%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
While he isn’t running for office this year, Pete Buttigieg has been campaigning across the country ahead of the midterm elections. The former presidential candidate and transportation secretary has endorsed veterans in Florida, headlined rallies for candidates in Arizona, and made Democrats’ case to audiences on both MS NOW and Fox News.
His travels have fueled speculation about another presidential run. The Washington Post reports that Buttigieg has visited nearly three dozen states since leaving the Biden Cabinet and become one of the Democrats’ most sought-after campaign surrogates. The appearances could also help lay the groundwork for a bid to become the nation’s first out gay president.
Related: Pete Buttigieg: ‘Of course’ America is ready for a gay president
Buttigieg’s presidential ambitions are hardly new. He launched his first campaign in 2019 as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and went on to win the most delegates in the Iowa caucuses. "Mayor Pete,” as he became known, suspended his campaign weeks later and endorsed Joe Biden, who appointed him to oversee the Department of Transportation. Buttigieg became the first out gay person confirmed by the Senate to a Cabinet position.
That history has raised a question. Is the U.S. ready for a gay president? “Of course,” Buttigieg said this month when asked directly. Candidates in competitive districts seeking his help suggest they believe he can reach the voters they need now.
“He’s very relatable. He’s easy to talk to. And my God, he is smart,” JoAnna Mendoza, a Democrat running for a competitive House seat in Arizona, told the Post.
Related: Pete Buttigieg warns that beating Trump won’t fix what made him possible
Some voters at a rally for Mendoza were less certain about Buttigieg’s presidential prospects. One attendee bought a “Buttigieg 2028” T-shirt but told the Post he feared voters would reject a candidate because he is gay. Buttigieg says he has developed a specialty in campaigning in “more purple and red areas.” His appearances there could test whether his appeal extends beyond Democratic audiences.
Early polling also places him among the leading potential contenders for the 2028 Democratic nomination. For now, the more immediate test is whether his campaigning helps Democrats win the competitive seats that will determine control of Congress.
