Buttigieg Says Family Spurred His Move To MI, But Some Think Maybe Political Hopes Did

MICHIGAN — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's move to the Traverse City area has promoted speculation about his political aspirations.

Although Buttigieg's husband, Chasten, is from Traverse City and a spokesperson told Politico the couple's move to the Traverse City area was specifically meant to bring them closer to Chasten's family so they can help raise their adopted twins, Michigan offers several political benefits Buttigieg could possibly capitalize on.

For instance, Michigan is a competitive state for Democratic politicians seeking statewide office, considering the state has two Democratic U.S. Senators and a Democratic governor. Moreover, Michigan Democrats are seeking to have the state replace Iowa as the first presidential nominating contest in 2024.

Buttigieg also permanently changed his residency to Michigan and plans to vote in the state's midterm elections. But when asked about the possibility of running for statewide office in Michigan some day, he replied, "I’ve got more than enough to keep all of my energies occupied with the work of the Transportation Department."

Some of those energies led him to Grand Rapids last Monday, where he held a news conference highlighting an $8.68 million federal grant that will help fund Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s concourse expansion.

"As part of the terminal gate expansion project here, this grant is going to help to fund eight new passenger boarding bridges so that this airport is able to handle more travelers and so that they can walk or roll more comfortably from their gate to their plane," Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg was a two-term mayor in South Bend, Indiana, before he unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020.