Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited South Carolina this weekend as he considers launching a second presidential campaign, marking a notable shift in his standing within the state since his 2020 bid. During his 2020 primary campaign, Buttigieg finished fourth in South Carolina, a result that effectively ended his initial White House aspirations and exposed weaknesses in his support among Black voters. His weekend trip included fundraising events, university appearances, and an NAACP dinner where he received multiple standing ovations from crowds of more than 200 people, including applause for infrastructure projects he directed as transportation secretary.
During his remarks, Buttigieg discussed themes of economic frustration and democratic reform, telling attendees that “there is no such thing as again in real life” and emphasizing the need to look toward the future. Local officials credited him with bringing millions in federal dollars to the area, including a $22.7 million grant for a downtown revitalization project in Orangeburg. South Carolina Democratic leaders, including former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, stress that winning Black voter support is essential for any Democratic nominee, given that Black voters constitute a majority of the state’s Democratic electorate.
Buttigieg stated he has made no final decision about running for president, telling reporters he is “totally focused on 2026.” However, his South Carolina visit followed a recent trip to Nevada and included the typical activities associated with presidential exploratory efforts. Other potential 2028 Democratic contenders, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, have similarly visited the state. South Carolina is expected to hold the first position in the Democratic primary calendar for 2028, a change intended to give Black voters greater influence in the nominating process.
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