Buttigieg campaigns for midterms, eyes future political role

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is actively campaigning for Democratic candidates across the country in the final weeks before the midterm elections. His itinerary includes stops in at least six states: North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia, Nevada, and his adopted home state of Michigan, according to an itinerary shared by his political group, Win the Era.

Buttigieg is using these campaign stops to refine his political message, aiming to connect concrete cost-of-living concerns with the broader need for political reform. He stated that an economic message lacks credibility without a reform message, as people may not believe delivery is possible otherwise.

His extensive campaigning, which includes over 100 endorsements and stops in 37 states since leaving the Transportation Department, is seen as an opportunity to build relationships and define his political brand. This real-world testing is also viewed as potentially useful for a future presidential run, a question he has been asked about during his campaign stops. Despite sidestepping direct questions about his future plans, remnants of his 2020 presidential campaign, such as "Pete for New Hampshire" buttons and T-shirts, were visible.

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley noted that Buttigieg's popularity in the state has grown, and Representative Chris Pappas introduced him as a trusted voice. Stefany Shaheen, running for Pappas' seat, also highlighted his trusted status.