Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is releasing a new book as speculation continues to swirl that he will launch a 2028 presidential campaign.
Buttigieg, a previous Democratic presidential candidate, spent much of the 2026 election cycle boosting his national profile while campaigning for Democrats up and down the ballot.
Buttigieg announced Tuesday that his forthcoming book, Next, will be released Jan. 26, 2027, and is available for preorder. The book examines the current state of American politics and makes the case for reforms to the country’s political system, according to Buttigieg.
In a video announcing the release, Buttigieg said the book is not a policy manual but rather an examination of how the country reached its current political moment and what Democrats could do to build a better future.
“Lately, a lot of people have been asking me about what’s next, and as chance would have it, I have been thinking about exactly that subject for about a year,” Buttigieg said.
He also pointed to Democrats’ performance in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, arguing that victories in traditionally Republican areas reflected voters’ dissatisfaction with the status quo.
“On Tuesday in the election, Americans sent a powerful message: a rejection of the status quo and a demand for something better,” he said. “Democrats won in places where we haven’t in a generation, or in some cases, ever.”
Buttigieg cautioned that the victories do not automatically translate into a durable governing majority, arguing that Democrats must capitalize on the political momentum to pursue broader changes.
The book announcement comes as Buttigieg continues to position himself as a possible contender in what is shaping up to be a crowded Democratic presidential primary in 2028. He has not formally announced a campaign, although he has previously indicated he is more inclined than not to seek the nomination.
Throughout the 2026 election cycle, Buttigieg has campaigned for Democratic candidates, making appearances in competitive races and key early presidential primary states such as South Carolina.
The former transportation secretary has emerged as one of the party’s most recognizable surrogates, with Democrats frequently turning to him to deliver campaign messages and draw crowds. His relative popularity among Democratic voters and ability to communicate with audiences across ideological lines could give him an advantage in a prospective primary.
Buttigieg, 44, previously sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, emerging as a surprise contender before ultimately endorsing former President Joe Biden, later serving as transportation secretary in the Biden administration.
He also opted against running for Michigan’s open Senate seat or challenging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) last year.
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Buttigieg is far from the only Democrat positioning for a possible presidential campaign. The field remains wide open, with former Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY), Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), and Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) among the names frequently mentioned as potential contenders. Several of the potential candidates have also authored books as rumors surrounding their candidacy swell.
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has also attracted more recent attention as a possible future standard-bearer. Ossoff was the top choice among attendees at a progressive convention when they were asked who should lead the Democratic Party into the 2028 election.