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Moore is only in the third year of his first term and is expected to run for re-election in blue-dominated Maryland. He argues that steering the state through difficult times is his top priority — not launching a national campaign.
Still, the political buzz isn’t dying down. As Moore exits the 2028 speculation, another familiar figure is moving in — fast.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is making clear moves to dominate the conversation ahead of 2028, and he’s doing it with a bold new media playbook.
After announcing he would not be seeking Michigan’s open Senate or gubernatorial seat, Buttigieg has gone full-throttle into national engagement — not through legacy outlets, but digital channels where voters actually are.
“I’m using my voice best I can in traditional media and new media, and I’m going to continue having conversations with neighbors, with voters, talking about how we could have a better way,” Buttigieg told the Washington Examiner. “I don’t know what that means for me, politically or professionally, a long way from making any decisions about that, but I know that’s what I need to be doing right now.”
In a party often criticized for being out of touch, Buttigieg is being praised for bucking the establishment and taking a more populist approach to messaging — showing up on podcasts, speaking in plain English, and engaging with people outside the usual Democratic circles.
Ezra Klein of the New York Times even dubbed him the “Democratic Party’s acknowledged best-of-class communicator,” a label that stuck despite Democrats facing electoral losses.
Political influencer Sammy Kanter commented on the former mayor’s savvy: “He’s going on podcasts, and with that, he’s meeting Americans where they are on both sides of the aisle. He’s interacting with creators and taking the online sphere in a serious manner, as it should be. And he’s excelling in that space because he is able to explain complex happenings in an approachable way.”
Buttigieg also appeared in Washington this week to huddle with digital content creators, signaling he’s laying serious groundwork for something much larger than a media tour.
“It’s certainly shadow primary season. Pete’s strategy so far is on point,” Kanter added.
As Democrats look ahead to 2028, the divide between old-guard operatives and digital-first disruptors like Buttigieg is becoming more obvious. Wes Moore may be stepping off the stage, but Buttigieg appears ready to steal the spotlight — and perhaps the nomination.
For now, the race is still a whisper campaign, but Buttigieg’s moves speak volumes.
