ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Pete Buttigieg is back in South Carolina, revisiting a crucial region for his political ambitions. In the past, South Carolina marked the end of Buttigieg’s presidential campaign. This time, Buttigieg is exploring possibilities for a new presidential run and focusing on connecting with Black voters.
Buttigieg earned standing ovations at a Black church in South Carolina. Attendees praised him for securing millions of federal dollars for local projects as Biden’s transportation secretary. He also delivered a speech addressing a troubled nation and presenting his vision for the future.
“There is no such thing as again in real life. The only way out is through,”Buttigieg emphasized at an NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. More than 200 people gathered, showing significant interest in his perspectives.
The response in South Carolina differed vastly from six years ago. At that time, Buttigieg’s campaign suffered a blow due to his inability to connect with Black voters. The state now holds even more potential influence on his political path. By starting the Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina for 2028, Black voters will have a greater say from the outset.
Former Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison explained:
You need to demonstrate that you can win Black voters. If you can’t win Black voters, you can’t be the nominee of our party.
Campaigning efforts are ramping up in South Carolina for the 2028 election. Buttigieg hasn’t committed to running again but focused first on 2026. His recent travels, including a trip to Nevada, appear to signal potential ambitions. In Charleston, Buttigieg raised funds alongside Nancy Lacore—a candidate aiming to reclaim a Republican-held U.S. House seat.
During the visit, Buttigieg engaged with students at Claflin University, emphasizing his credentials as a potential candidate. Davina Perry, a third-year student, voiced her view that Buttigieg could be a strong contender.
In Orangeburg, a city with a rich Civil Rights history, Buttigieg attended a church dinner surrounded by local leaders and officials. Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler offered high praise:
He is responsible for the Railroad Corner, and we need to stand and welcome the former secretary.
Buttigieg’s speech covered broader national issues, emphasizing the need for both economic and political reform:
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.
In South Carolina, Buttigieg’s efforts to initiate close, personal engagement with voters resonated positively. South Carolina’s leaders wanted the state to foster intimate, impactful political discussions.
Harrison advised:
You got to go listen. You got to go all over the place. You have to make meaningful investments. That’s how you win South Carolina.
Other Democratic hopefuls for 2028, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, showed interest in the state, signaling a large Democratic field. Former Vice President Kamala Harris already maintains connections there.
Shifts in the electorate since 2020 provide new context. Biden’s 2020 victory in South Carolina initially revived his campaign, but four years later, Trump defeated Harris. The Supreme Court has since weakened the Voting Rights Act, worrying Black leaders in the South.
Former interim DNC chair Donna Brazile stressed the importance of choosing South Carolina as the starting point for the Democratic primary, remarking:
We must start our process where democracy must still be fought for, in the full view of the nation.
Buttigieg acknowledged these concerns, warning about long-term efforts to undermine African American political influence. Despite positive signs, Harrison noted that potential candidates, including Buttigieg, must continue proving their value to South Carolina’s voters:
It can’t just be, ‘Oh, pop in and then I’m going to pop back out.’