Buttigieg wrote that he "seriously" considered running for office in 2026 but that the Democratic Party has a "deep and talented bench in Michigan."

One likely Republican candidate is Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in an open U.S. Senate contest last year. Other Republicans considering bids are Rep. Bill Huizenga of Holland Township and 2022 gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon of Norton Shores.

The former transportation secretary, who moved to Michigan from Indiana in 2022, had been seen as the most prominent potential candidate in next year’s marquee contest.