Pete Buttigieg has a shot at being Kamala Harris’ VP pick. What to know

Talk of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s political future grew louder Sunday after Vice President Kamala Harris announced she’s running for president. 

Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, endorsed Harris as his name surfaced as a possible running mate for her.

Here’s what to know about Buttigieg:

What was Pete Buttigieg’s first elected job?

Buttigieg was elected mayor of South Bend, his hometown, in 2011 at 29 years old. He claimed credit for turning around the rust-belt city during his two terms in office, revitalizing the downtown, increasing population and lowering unemployment.

When did ‘Mayor Pete’ run for president?

Buttigieg ran for president in 2020 as one of the least experienced Democrats in a crowded primary field. A win at the Iowa caucuses and a second-place finish at the New Hampshire primary in 2019 gained the Hoosier serious momentum. His victory in Iowa made him the first openly gay candidate to win a primary or caucus.

What has Buttigieg done as transportation secretary?

During Buttigieg’s tenure as transportation secretary, the Biden administration pushed a bipartisan infrastructure bill through Congress that dedicated $550 billion to improvements on roads and bridges, passenger and freight rail, public transit, and road safety projects. 

Buttigieg has become a popular political figure on the internet due to his association with new rail investments across the United States, including future high-speed service between Las Vegas and Los Angeles and improved and expanded Amtrak service. 

However, Republicans have also been quick to blame Buttigieg for transportation-related problems. His time at the department has included overseeing major disasters, including the massive Southwest Airlines system failure in late 2022 and the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment in 2023. 

How old is Buttigieg?

Buttigieg is 42 years old.

Does Buttigieg still live in Indiana?

Buttigieg no longer lives in South Bend. He, husband Chasten Glezman and their two children moved to Traverse City, Michigan, in 2022.

Where did Buttigieg go to college?

Buttigieg earned a bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard in 2004 and a first-class honors degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from Pembroke College, a constituent college of Oxford University in England in 2007.

Did Buttigieg serve in the military?

He joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2009 as a junior officer in Naval Intelligence before being elected mayor in 2011. While mayor, he took a seven-month leave to deploy to Afghanistan in 2014. He was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and left the Navy Reserve in 2017.

A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Chasten Glezman.

Tyler Spence is a Pulliam Fellow. He can be contacted at jspence@gannett.com