Pete Buttigieg returned to South Carolina this weekend, a state where his 2020 presidential campaign faltered, to re-engage with Black voters and lay the groundwork for a potential second White House run.
During his visit, Buttigieg received a standing ovation at an NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner in Orangeburg for his work securing federal funding for local projects as President Joe Biden’s transportation secretary. He also delivered a speech warning of a country in "big trouble" and outlining his vision for the future.
"There is no such thing as again in real life. The only way out is through," Buttigieg told the crowd of more than 200 people. "If we recognize and embrace a future that is different from the past, we will do better."
The reception marked a notable contrast to his 2020 visit, when a fourth-place finish in the state's primary contributed to the end of his presidential campaign. This time, Buttigieg aims to build stronger connections in a state that will play a crucial role as the first contest in the Democratic presidential primary in 2028. The early placement of South Carolina on the primary calendar is intended to give Black voters a greater voice in the nominating process.
"You need to demonstrate that you can win Black voters," said Jaime Harrison, former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. "If you can’t win Black voters, you can’t be the nominee of our party."
Buttigieg, who has not made a final decision about a 2028 run, told reporters his focus is currently on 2026. However, his South Carolina trip, following a visit to Nevada, bore the hallmarks of a potential presidential bid. He participated in fundraising events in Charleston and spoke at a policy conference before visiting Claflin University, a historically Black university.
Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler highlighted Buttigieg's role in securing a $22.7 million federal grant for the city's downtown revitalization project, known as Railroad Corner. "He is responsible for the Railroad Corner," Butler said. "Do I need to say any more? We need to stand and welcome the former secretary."
In his speech, Buttigieg argued for the necessity of institutional and political reform to address Americans' economic concerns. "I have come to believe that the kitchen table cannot be improved unless we are also reforming the institutional and political floor on which that kitchen table sits,” he said.
Buttigieg also addressed anxieties surrounding voting rights, describing efforts to weaken the Voting Rights Act as part of a "multidecade effort" to diminish African American political power. This comes as the Supreme Court's decision earlier this year weakened a core provision of the Voting Rights Act, raising concerns about Black political representation in the South.
Buttigieg is not the only potential 2028 contender visiting South Carolina. California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and U.S. Representative Ro Khanna have also visited the state, as anticipation builds for a potentially large Democratic field. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also has established ties in the state.
Jaime Harrison described Buttigieg's weekend trip as a "good start" but emphasized the need for sustained engagement from candidates to win over South Carolina voters. "It has to be a good start and then you got to continue. It can’t just be, ‘Oh, pop in and then I’m going to pop back out.'"