The Political Thread

[Chris]

Pete Buttigieg, a Possible 2028 Contender, Won’t Run for Senate in Michigan

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.

www.nytimes.com

Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary, is expected to announce that he will not run for Michigan’s open Senate seat, according to three people briefed on his deliberations, a decision that appears to open the door to a 2028 presidential bid.

Mr. Buttigieg’s decision to skip the 2026 race to succeed Senator Gary Peters, a retiring Democrat, could allow him to pivot more easily to the next contest for the White House — which will effectively kick off the day after the midterm elections, if not sooner. The news was earlier reported by Politico.

Mr. Buttigieg, who ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, was seen as the most prominent potential contender in next year’s marquee Senate contest, a proven fund-raiser with strong name recognition and a devoted fan base in his party.

 

[Chris]

White House withdraws CDC director nomination just before his Senate confirmation hearing

Former Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla., was set to face questions at his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday morning.

www.nbcnews.com

The White House has withdrawn the nomination of former Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla., whom President Donald Trump had chosen to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a senior administration official said.

The development came just before Weldon was set to testify at his Senate confirmation hearing at 10 a.m. ET before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.