Buttigieg Nominated as U.S. Transportation Secretary

Pete Buttigieg

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President-elect Joe Biden says he will Pete Buttigieg as his transportation secretary. The former mayor of South Bend and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate will be the first Senate-confirmed LGBTQ Cabinet secretary if the nomination passes.

The nomination is the second time Biden has tapped one of his former Democratic presidential opponents to join his administration, in addition to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. CNN reports the role of transportation secretary is expected to play a central role in Biden’s push for a bipartisan infrastructure package. Buttigieg was considered for other posts, including U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and commerce secretary.

Prior to running for president, Buttigieg served as the mayor of South Bend since 2012. While serving as mayor, Buttigieg deployed to Afghanistan as an intelligence officer. Prior to running for office, he was a consultant at McKinsey & Co. in Chicago.