Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg travelled to South Carolina this weekend, speaking at an NAACP dinner, a historically Black university, and a Democratic policy conference as he weighs a second run for the White House. The visit marks a significant shift from his last appearance in the state, when a poor fourth-place finish in South Carolina's 2020 primary — driven largely by his inability to attract Black voters — effectively ended his first presidential campaign. South Carolina (the first state to vote in the Democratic presidential primary under new party rules designed to elevate Black voter influence) is considered an essential proving ground for 2028 contenders, with Black voters comprising a majority of the state's Democratic electorate, making Buttigieg's warmer reception this time — including two standing ovations — a notable early indicator for a potential campaign.