Pete Buttigieg visits South Carolina to court Black voters

Pete Buttigieg returned to South Carolina this weekend, marking his first trip to the state since leaving the Biden administration. The former transportation secretary is signaling interest in a potential 2028 presidential run by attempting to rebuild connections with Black voters, a demographic he struggled to win over during his 2020 campaign.

During events in Orangeburg and Florence, Buttigieg addressed issues including reparations for slavery and the importance of protecting democracy. He criticized Republican redistricting efforts as attempts to dismantle Black representation and warned that the current political climate mirrors historical struggles for civil rights.

At an NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner, Buttigieg received a warm reception, with attendees acknowledging his role in securing federal funding for local projects during his tenure in the Biden administration. He emphasized that political leaders must address both economic concerns and fundamental questions of democracy and civil rights.