Who is Pete Buttigieg? The US Secretary of Transportation who could be Kamala Harris’ running mate

The youngest member of Biden’s cabinet, Pete Buttigieg, is a Harvard graduate and Afghanistan war veteran who first came to national prominence during his unsuccessful bid for president in 2020. He frequently referred to himself as ‘Mayor Pete’, referencing his background in local government, serving as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

When he was nominated by President Biden to serve as Secretary of Transportation, some critics questioned whether his credentials were sufficient for the job. At his confirmation hearing in January, Buttigieg spoke of having a “generational opportunity” to improve infrastructure and correct prevailing injustices.

“I believe good transportation policy can play no less a role than making possible the American dream,” he said. “But I also recognize that at their worst, misguided policies and missed opportunities in transportation can reinforce racial and economic inequality.”

Now, Secretary Buttigieg is vying to become Kamala Harris’ running mate. He has made various media appearances since President Biden dropped out of the race, defending VP Kamala Harris and the work of the administration over the last three and a half years.

What has Buttigieg done as transportation secretary?

Upon announcing his nomination for the role, Biden said that Buttigieg would bring a “new voice” to the administration and would help bring about the institutional changes needed in the Transportation Department. The Bipartisan Infrastructure bill passed by Congress began this revitalization process by allocating billions for the Department, which oversaw the distribution to different states and localities to carry out projects related to roadwork, building and repairing bridges, and other major infrastructure investments.

The secretary’s tenure has been marked by various transportation disasters that have taken various forms. First, in East Palestine, Ohio, a train stretching more than a mile long carrying highly flammable chemicals derailed, and the material was set ablaze. The residents of the community were told that there would be no health consequences as a result of the derailment. Still, an evacuation of the town was ordered, and many residents reported symptoms of exposure to vinyl chloride and other hazardous materials.

In terms of air travel, the recent global Microsoft technical failure, which grounded thousands of flights around the world, leaving passengers in some US cities stranded for days, presented another regulatory task for the DoT.

The Department opened an investigation into the matter and is working to ensure that customers are compensated based on the legal standards outlined in federal rules.