Pete Buttigieg and Husband Chasten: What Most People Get Wrong About Their Life in Michigan

If you’ve spent any time on political Twitter or watched a cable news cycle in the last few years, you probably think you know the deal with Pete Buttigieg and husband Chasten.

Most people see the highlights. The 2020 history-making campaign. The viral Hinge meet-cute. The twin babies, Gus and Penelope, popping up in adorable holiday photos.

But honestly? The "Mayor Pete" era is long over, and the "Secretary Pete" chapter just wrapped up. Now that it’s 2026, the couple is living a life that looks a lot less like a D.C. power play and a lot more like a chaotic, high-stakes version of House Hunters: Great Lakes Edition.

Moving to Traverse City: It wasn't just a political pivot

Back in 2022, the Buttigiegs did something that baffled the D.C. beltway crowd: they moved to Traverse City, Michigan.

People assumed it was a cold, calculated move to run for office in a swing state. That’s the cynical take. But if you look at their actual life, it was basically a survival tactic for two new dads who were drowning in the demands of twin infants and a Cabinet-level travel schedule.

Chasten grew up in Traverse City. His parents, Sherri and Terry Glezman, are right there. When you have twins who are prone to things like RSV—which landed young Gus in the hospital for a terrifying stretch in 2021—you don't want a political consultant. You want grandma.

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Living in Northern Michigan has fundamentally changed their "brand." You’re more likely to see them at a local park or the National Cherry Festival than at a black-tie gala.

The Reality of Raising Gus and Penelope

Let's talk about the kids. Joseph "Gus" August and Penelope Rose are four years old now.

Pete has joked on The Late Show that he’s a total "pushover" as a dad. Chasten, the former middle school teacher, is the one with the actual pedagogical chops to manage a toddler tantrum.

• The "Papa" vs. "Daddy" dynamic: Pete is "Papa." Chasten is "Daddy."
• The bedtime routine: It’s less about policy briefings and more about reading Papa's Coming Home, the picture book Chasten published in 2025.
• The health scares: That RSV incident wasn't just a news blurb. It was a week of "Dads, you can hold them" in a neonatal unit that changed how they viewed their public-private balance.

It’s easy to forget that while Pete was managing the $140 million fine against Southwest Airlines or pushing EV infrastructure at the Detroit Auto Show, he was also likely dealing with a "terrible threes" meltdown at 6:00 AM.

Chasten Buttigieg is more than a "Political Spouse"

There’s a common misconception that Chasten is just the supportive guy in the background. That's a mistake.

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In 2026, Chasten has carved out a massive lane for himself as an advocate and a writer. He isn't just "the husband." He's a New York Times bestselling author who has successfully adapted his memoir, I Have Something to Tell You, for young adults.

He’s currently a senior consultant helping other public-facing figures manage the "behind the scenes" chaos of fame. He gets it. He’s lived the couch-surfing reality of a kid who came out at 18 in a conservative family and ended up in the White House.

Honestly, Chasten is often the "humanizer" for Pete. Pete can be... well, he’s a Rhodes Scholar. He talks in paragraphs. Chasten is the one who tweets about the dogs, Truman and Buddy, or the reality of pit-spitting at a county fair.

What’s next for the Buttigiegs?

The big question everyone asks: Is Pete running for President in 2028?

In early 2025, Pete officially ruled out a run for the Michigan Senate or the Governor's office. That was a huge deal. It signaled that he’s keeping his powder dry for a national stage.

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But for now, they are in a "useful" phase. Pete is doing fireside chats at the Detroit Auto Show about the "triple helix model of innovation" (classic Pete), while Chasten is hitting the keynote circuit talking about mental health and education.

Actionable Insights for Following the Buttigiegs

If you want to keep up with them without the partisan noise, here is how you actually do it:

1. Watch the Books, Not Just the News: Chasten’s writing often reveals more about their family life and values than any 3-minute CNN hit.
2. Follow the Michigan Moves: Their involvement in local Michigan infrastructure and LGBTQ+ advocacy in the Midwest is a blueprint for how they plan to build a "home base" that isn't D.C.-centric.
3. The 2028 Clock: Since Pete isn't running for office in 2026, expect him to spend the next 18 months building a national donor network through his "Win the Era" style leadership PACs.

They aren't the same couple that walked onto that stage in South Bend in 2019. They’re older, they’re tired in that way only parents of four-year-olds are, and they seem much more comfortable in their own skin.

Current Status: Living in Traverse City, Michigan; focused on family and national advocacy.