Friend,
We came into this year knowing that the stakes in our politics are as high
as ever, with decisive battles under way over what it is like to live in
America and what it means to be an American. But even so, few of us could
have been prepared for how heavy the beginning of this year would be. The
scenes from Minnesota have been shocking and tragic; they are hard to see,
but demand that we not look away.
What’s been inspiring, even amid that pain, is seeing people from all
walks of life – left, right, and center – come together to push for
change, demand accountability, and insist that our public institutions
live up to the values we hold as Americans. This season has been filled
with reminders of why showing up truly matters. And that’s why, in this
moment, I’ve focused on listening and engaging directly with people
wherever the conversation is happening: by getting out of Washington,
talking with folks about what’s weighing on their minds, learning from
local leaders on the front lines, and engaging even when the room isn’t
automatically comfortable or familiar.
For me, those conversations started in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in a district
where the Congressional representative refuses to show up at all. I heard
people speak honestly about rising costs, fragile freedoms, and the sense
that Washington isn’t even listening, let alone delivering. What stayed
with me, more than any single exchange, was the seriousness and good faith
people brought into the room. That kind of conversation – direct,
respectful, and grounded in everyday life – is what a better, healthier
kind of politics can look like.
[ [link removed] ]Pete Buttigieg Flag Logo
The same spirit prevailed at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where local
leaders from across the country shared how they’re delivering results on
housing, infrastructure, and public safety even when national politics
feels stuck. The work of these mayors is a powerful reminder that progress
so often happens closest to home, far from the national political drama –
and that good leadership isn’t abstract, it’s direct and real.
Between those travels, I had a chance to spend time back in South Bend, a
place that continues to ground me in my values and my understanding of
what public service is about – people looking out for one another and the
chance to make everyday life better. I filmed a short video reflecting on
what South Bend means to me, and how it can be a model for what politics
can and should be. [ [link removed] ]You can click here to watch.
[ [link removed] ]Pete Buttigieg Flag Logo
I also went on Fox News for another interview – my most unexpected
speciality. I continue to believe that having tough conversations in these
spaces is especially important in a moment like this. If we want a
politics that actually delivers, we have to be willing to speak plainly
and meet people where they are, even when the room isn’t automatically
friendly.
[ [link removed] ]Pete Buttigieg Flag Logo
All of this shaped another important step I took in January: releasing my
first round of endorsements for the 2026 elections. I was proud to
announce that I stand with Amy Klobuchar in Minnesota, Sherrod Brown in
Ohio, Mary Peltola in Alaska, Bob Brooks in Pennsylvania, and Josh Shapiro
in Pennsylvania, Josh Fryday in California, and Eleni Kounlakis in
California – leaders who understand that public service is about taking
responsibility and delivering for people’s everyday lives.
Looking ahead to the rest of this year and beyond, I’m clear-eyed about
the work ahead of us. The months to come will demand persistence, patient
organizing, and a willingness to keep engaging, especially where it’s
hard. In this work I remain deeply hopeful, bolstered by all the places I
went this January and saw people ready to participate, ready to lead, and
ready to build something better together. If we keep showing up with
purpose and focus on everyday life, there’s no limit to what we can do.
Thanks for being part of this work.
Pete
[ [link removed] ]Pete Buttigieg Flag Logo
Pete Buttigieg is a husband, dad, veteran, writer, and proud Midwesterner. He
formerly served as the 19th US Secretary of Transportation and Mayor of South
Bend. Now, he’s committed to supporting emerging leaders, showing up in
communities we too often ignore, and helping win more elections.
[ [link removed] ]If you support Pete, and would like to help him to keep up the momentum,
consider becoming a monthly sustaining supporter to Win the Era today.
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