13 April 2026

Pete Buttigieg pretty much said that he’s running for president in 2028

Pete Buttigieg just hinted at a 2028 presidential run during a conversation with Reverend Al Sharpton.

“When you ran for president, you met me and we went [to a] well-publicized lunch at Sylvia’s restaurant in Harlem,” Sharpton told Buttigieg at the National Action Network’s 35th annual convention last Friday, where several potential 2028 Democratic nominees appeared. “Just so my calendar’s clear, should I be reserving a table at Sylvia’s? Are you going to run again?”

“You save me a seat. I’ll be there,” Buttigieg replied.

Buttigieg wasn’t the only one to suggest a 2028 run while talking to Sharpton. Former Vice President Kamala Harris said that she “might” run again: “I’m thinking about it… I’ll keep you posted.” The crowd, according to Fox News, then chanted “run again.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) all appeared at the conference.

“We have a pretty good bench,” Pritzker said at the event. “In fact, you’ve invited so many of them to come right here, they’ve been on this stage, or they’re going to be.”

On Sunday, Sharpton gave his assessment of the potential candidates: “I don’t think anybody flunked.”

“He’s a lot more comfortable with it,” Sharpton said of Buttigieg, according to the New York Times, referring to Buttigieg’s first presidential run in 2020. “He got the crowd with him a little bit. But I think Pete of ’20 would have been like at 60 — I think he went to 75 yesterday. I thought he was more at ease.”

Sharpton explained that California Gov. Gavin Newsom – another likely 2028 contender – was invited but couldn’t come because of a scheduling conflict. He didn’t invite Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-
NY), though, saying he didn’t think she was going to run in 2028.

Speculation about Buttigieg running again has been building for months. In February, he appeared in New Hampshire – a likely early primary state – to campaign alongside several Democrats running for office in 2026, which sparked presidential chatter.

“I’m a long way from any kind of decision,” he said when asked about whether he’s running in 2028. “But I’m very happy to be here, and I know what I should be doing for the next year, which is to be there for causes and candidates that are deserving, to speak out, not just against this administration but for the measures that are gonna make it more affordable and easier to live in this state and in this country.”

An early poll of New Hampshire Democratic primary voters showed Buttigieg coming out on top of other potential Democratic candidates. 19% of respondents said that they would support Buttigieg in the 2028 primary. Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez came in second and third place with 15% and 14%, respectively. Harris got 11%, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) 8%, and Pritzker 6%. All the other candidates got 3% or less. 10% of respondents were undecided.

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