Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made his first visit to Orangeburg, South Carolina, since leaving the Biden administration over the weekend, meeting with members of the Orangeburg branch of the NAACP as he explores a potential 2028 presidential run. The visit comes as Buttigieg seeks to strengthen his appeal to Black voters, a demographic central to the South Carolina Democratic primary, which traditionally kicks off the nominating process.
A top aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly questioned the timing of Buttigieg’s visit, reigniting tensions among Democratic contenders vying for the party’s 2028 nomination. Newsom communications director Izzy Gardon responded to a post by Buttigieg’s representative, Aida Ross, who highlighted the visit with a photo and caption: “Pete returned to Orangeburg, SC! Great night with the Orangeburg Branch of the NAACP.” Gardon replied, “First time in SC in 3 years? Nice!”
Buttigieg’s visit included stops in Florence and Orangeburg, where he addressed local NAACP members. Speaking to the group, he drew parallels between the current political climate and the Civil Rights era, stating, “The mid-2020s does not represent our nation's first experience with corruption and self-dealing, with bigotry and exclusion, with inequality and injustice.”
Black voter outreach emerges as key issue in 2028 race
The exchange between Gardon and Ross underscores broader debates within the Democratic Party about Black voter engagement, particularly in the South. South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain emphasized the state’s importance last month, declaring, “The South is not the past, it is the future.” Meanwhile, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens criticized the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for eliminating Atlanta from consideration as a 2028 convention host city, accusing the party of “abandoning the South” and “abandoning Black voters.”
Democratic chairs from five southern states had previously warned the DNC against sending the message that Black voters’ loyalty is “taken for granted,” according to the Associated Press. The debate over the presidential primary calendar has intensified as South Carolina prepares to hold the first nominating contest in 2028.
Buttigieg’s evolving strategy with Black voters
Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign struggled to gain traction with Black voters, in part due to his relative obscurity at the time. Marlon Kimpson, a Black former state senator who backed President Biden in 2020, told CNN that the Pete Buttigieg of 2020 is not the Pete Buttigieg of 2026, citing his increased name recognition and infrastructure in South Carolina. “I think people generally like Pete, and that's a big deal in an open race,” Kimpson said. “But as we look at his economic agenda... there will be questions with respect to those issues.”
Buttigieg’s visit follows his recent high-profile appearances and policy rollouts, which have drawn attention from Democratic strategists and voters alike. His focus on economic equity and infrastructure in Black communities aligns with broader Democratic efforts to address racial disparities ahead of the 2028 election.
Party tensions over South Carolina’s role
The 2028 primary calendar remains a contentious issue, with some Democrats arguing that South Carolina’s early primary status ensures greater representation for Black voters, while others contend that the DNC’s decisions risk alienating key constituencies. The debate reflects deeper questions about the party’s electoral strategy and its relationship with the South, a region that has trended Republican in recent elections but remains critical for Democratic success in presidential races.
As the 2028 race takes shape, Buttigieg’s outreach to Black voters in South Carolina highlights the strategic importance of the state and the broader challenges Democrats face in uniting a diverse coalition ahead of the next election.