Career Timeline of Pete Buttigieg: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Pete Buttigieg built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Pete Buttigieg is an American politician and former naval officer. He served as the 19th United States Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025. Previously, he was the 32nd mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, earning him the nickname "Mayor Pete". A member of the Democratic Party, Buttigieg is a prominent figure in American politics.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

2002: Internship with Jill Long Thompson

In 2002, Pete Buttigieg interned for Democrat Jill Long Thompson during her unsuccessful congressional bid.

2004: Work on John Kerry's Presidential Campaign

In 2004, Pete Buttigieg worked on John Kerry's presidential campaign as a policy and research specialist.

2005: Conference Director at the Cohen Group

From 2004 to 2005, Pete Buttigieg was conference director of the Cohen Group

2005: Involvement with Truman National Security Project

Since 2005, Pete Buttigieg has been involved with the Truman National Security Project.

2006: Assistance to Joe Donnelly's Congressional Campaign

In 2006, Pete Buttigieg assisted Joe Donnelly's successful congressional campaign.

2007: Consultant at McKinsey & Company

In 2007, Pete Buttigieg became a consultant at the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company.

2008: Research Director for Jill Long Thompson's Campaign

In 2008, Pete Buttigieg took a leave of absence from McKinsey to become research director for Jill Long Thompson's unsuccessful campaign for Indiana governor.

September 2009: Ensign in Naval Intelligence

In September 2009, Pete Buttigieg joined the U.S. Navy Reserve and was sworn in as an ensign in naval intelligence.

2010: Leaves McKinsey to Campaign for State Treasurer

In 2010, Pete Buttigieg left McKinsey & Company to focus on his campaign for Indiana state treasurer.

2010: Democratic Nominee for State Treasurer of Indiana

In 2010, Pete Buttigieg was the Democratic nominee for state treasurer of Indiana, but lost to the Republican incumbent Richard Mourdock.

2010: Todd Young's position on military policy

In 2016, Pete Buttigieg campaigned on behalf of Democratic Senate nominee Evan Bayh and criticized Bayh's opponent, Todd Young, for having voiced support in 2010 for retaining the military's don't ask, don't tell policy, which Bayh had voted to repeal.

May 3, 2011: Primary Election Win

On May 3, 2011, Pete Buttigieg won the primary election for mayor of South Bend.

November 2011: Elected Mayor of South Bend

In November 2011, Pete Buttigieg was elected mayor of South Bend.

January 2012: Takes Office as Mayor

In January 2012, Pete Buttigieg took office as mayor of South Bend.

2013: Launching of 3-1-1 System

In 2013, Pete Buttigieg oversaw the city's launching of a 3-1-1 system.

February 2014: Deputy Mayor Serves as Executive

Starting in February 2014, Deputy Mayor Mark Neal served as executive in Pete Buttigieg's absence.

September 23, 2014: Returns to the United States

Pete Buttigieg returned to the United States on September 23, 2014 after serving for seven months in Afghanistan as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve

October 2014: Returns to Role as Mayor

In October 2014, Pete Buttigieg returned to his role as mayor of South Bend after deployment in Afghanistan.

2014: Deployment to Afghanistan

In 2014, Pete Buttigieg took a seven-month leave during his mayoral term to deploy to Afghanistan.

2014: Appointment to Truman National Security Project Board

In 2014, Pete Buttigieg was named to the board of advisors of the Truman National Security Project.

May 2015: Unveiling of River Lights Installation

In May 2015, the "River Lights" installation was unveiled as part of South Bend's 150th anniversary celebrations.

November 2015: Elected to Second Term as Mayor

In November 2015, Pete Buttigieg was elected to his second term as mayor of South Bend, receiving over 80 percent of the vote and defeating Republican Kelly Jones.

November 2015: 1,000 Properties Initiative Reaches Goal

The "Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative" reached its goal two months before its scheduled end date in November 2015.

2015: Secured Bond Issue for Smart Streets Program

In early 2015, Pete Buttigieg secured a bond issue for the Smart Streets urban development program, which was backed by tax increment financing, after traffic studies and public hearings.

2016: Campained for Evan Bayh and endorsed Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Pete Buttigieg campaigned on behalf of Democratic Senate nominee Evan Bayh and criticized Todd Young. In the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries, Buttigieg endorsed Hillary Clinton.

2016: Smart Streets Elements Finished

In 2016, elements of the Smart Streets urban development program were finished.

2016: Studebaker Complex Renovation Groundbreaking

In 2016, the City of South Bend partnered with the State of Indiana and private developers to break ground on a $165-million renovation of the former Studebaker complex, hoping that the redevelopment would facilitate industrial and housing units.

January 2017: Announced Candidacy for DNC Chair

In January 2017, Pete Buttigieg announced his candidacy for chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in its 2017 chairmanship election.

March 2017: Criticized deportation policies

In March 2017, Buttigieg wrote an article for the HuffPost defending a resident of Granger, Indiana, who was deported after living in the U.S. for 17 years.

2017: Increased Out-of-City Travel

In 2017, as Pete Buttigieg's national profile grew following his run in the Democratic National Committee chairmanship election, he increased his out-of-city travel.

2017: Ivy Tower Renovation Announced

In 2017, it was announced that the long-abandoned Studebaker Building 84, also known as Ivy Tower, would have its exterior renovated with $3.5 million in Regional Cities funds from the State of Indiana and another $3.5 million from South Bend tax increment financing, with plans for the building and other structures in its complex to serve as a technology hub.

2017: Smart Streets Project Completed

In 2017, the Smart Streets urban development program was officially completed. The project was credited with spurring private development in the city.

2017: Smart Sewer Program First Phase Finished

In 2017, the first phase of South Bend's smart sewer program was completed at a cost of $150 million. The effort used federal funds.

2017: Leaves the U.S. Navy Reserve

Pete Buttigieg left the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2017.

August 2018: Proposed South Shore Line Station Relocation

In August 2018, Pete Buttigieg promoted the idea of moving the city's South Shore Line station from South Bend International Airport to the city's downtown.

December 2018: Announced End of Mayoral Term

In December 2018, Pete Buttigieg announced that he would not seek a third term as mayor of South Bend.

2018: Speculation of Buttigieg Running for Governor or President

By early 2018, there was speculation that Pete Buttigieg would run for either governor or president in 2020.

2018: Buttigieg Founded Hitting Home PAC and Endorsed Candidates

For the 2018 midterms, Pete Buttigieg founded the political action committee (PAC) Hitting Home PAC. That October, Buttigieg personally endorsed 21 congressional candidates. He also later endorsed Mel Hall, Democratic nominee in the 2018 election for Indiana's 2nd congressional district.

2018: Favored Medicare for All

In 2018, Buttigieg stated his support for Medicare for All.

January 2019: Criticized Trump's troop deployment

In January 2019, Buttigieg criticized Trump's decision to send American troops to the Southern border, calling it "reckless".

January 23, 2019: Buttigieg Officially Announced Presidential Run

On January 23, 2019, Pete Buttigieg officially announced his run for president.

February 12, 2019: Published 'Shortest Way Home'

On February 12, 2019, Pete Buttigieg published his debut book, the autobiography "Shortest Way Home".

Shortest Way Home: One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future

Check it on Amazon

April 2019: Climate Plan Development Approved

In April 2019, the Common Council approved Pete Buttigieg's request to enable his administration to develop a city climate plan.

August 2019: Released mental health care plan

In August 2019, Buttigieg released a $300 billion plan aimed at expanding mental health care services and combating addiction.

November 2019: Review of Police Department Policies Commissioned

In November 2019, Pete Buttigieg secured $180,000 to commission a review of South Bend's police department policies and practices, to be conducted by Chicago-based consulting firm 21CP Solutions, following the shooting of Eric Logan in June 2019.

November 2019: Carbon Neutral 2050 Plan Approved

In late November 2019, the city's Common Council voted 7–0 to approve the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan, setting goals for emission reduction by 2025 and 2035.

December 2019: Buttigieg Rose into the Top-Tier of Candidates

In December 2019, Pete Buttigieg rose into the top-tier of candidates in the primary.

2019: Significant Private Investment in South Bend

By 2019, South Bend had seen an estimated $374 million in private investment for mixed-use developments since Pete Buttigieg had taken office.

2019: Buttigieg Requests Release from EPA Agreement

In 2019, Pete Buttigieg asked for South Bend to be released from an agreement with the EPA brokered under his mayoral predecessor, Steve Luecke, in which South Bend had agreed to make hundreds of millions of dollars in further improvements to its sewer system by 2031.

2019: Commuters Trust Launched

In 2019, South Bend launched Commuters Trust, a new transportation benefit program created in collaboration with local employers and transportation providers, including South Bend Transpo and Lyft. The program was made possible by a $1 million three-year grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge.

February 2020: Led Iowa Democratic caucuses

In early February 2020, Pete Buttigieg led the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses results with 26.2 percent to Bernie Sanders' 26.1 percent, winning 14 delegates to Sanders's 12. The LGBTQ Victory Fund, Buttigieg's first national endorsement, noted the historical first of an openly gay candidate winning a state presidential primary.

April 2020: Launched Win The Era PAC

In April 2020, Pete Buttigieg launched Win The Era PAC, a new super PAC to raise money and distribute it to down-ballot Democrats.

June 8, 2020: Hired by University of Notre Dame

On June 8, 2020, the University of Notre Dame announced that it had hired Pete Buttigieg as a teacher and researcher for the 2020–21 academic year.

September 5, 2020: Appointed to Biden-Harris Transition Team Advisory Council

On September 5, 2020, Pete Buttigieg was announced to be a member of the advisory council of the Biden-Harris Transition Team that was planning the presidential transition of Joe Biden.

October 2020: Released 'Trust: America's Best Chance'

Also, in October 2020, Pete Buttigieg released his second book, "Trust: America's Best Chance".

Trust: America's Best Chance

Check it on Amazon

November 7, 2020: Mentioned as a Possible Cabinet Appointee

Following the end of his presidential campaign, Pete Buttigieg was considered a possible Cabinet appointee in Joe Biden's administration. After Biden was declared the winner of the election on November 7, 2020, Buttigieg was again mentioned as a possible nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador to China or Secretary of Transportation.

December 15, 2020: Nominated as Secretary of Transportation

On December 15, 2020, Joe Biden announced that he would nominate Pete Buttigieg as his Secretary of Transportation.

December 2020: Nomination for Secretary of Transportation

In December 2020, President-elect Biden nominated Pete Buttigieg as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation.

2020: Speculation of Buttigieg Running for Governor or President

By early 2018, there was speculation that Pete Buttigieg would run for either governor or president in 2020.

2020: Presidential Run

On January 23, 2019, Buttigieg announced that he was forming an exploratory committee to run for President of the United States in the upcoming 2020 election. Buttigieg sought the Democratic Party nomination for president.

February 2, 2021: Confirmation as Secretary of Transportation

On February 2, 2021, Pete Buttigieg's nomination as Secretary of Transportation was confirmed, making him the first Senate-confirmed openly LGBTQ+ Cabinet secretary in U.S. history.

March 2021: Consideration of tolls on Interstate 80

In March 2021, Secretary Buttigieg indicated his openness to tolls on Interstate 80, but not bridges, suggesting "big picture solutions" like a mileage tax instead. However, the Biden administration did not include a gas tax or mileage tax in the infrastructure plan released that month.

March 2021: Prioritization of Gateway Rail Tunnel Project

In late March 2021, Secretary Buttigieg informed Congress that the Biden administration planned to prioritize the construction of the Gateway Rail Tunnel Project, citing its economic significance. He also announced the environmental impact assessment of the project.

May 19, 2021: Reinstatement of Obama-era pilot program

On May 19, 2021, as Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg reinstated an Obama-era pilot program aimed at ensuring local hiring for public works projects. The program's goal was to help minorities and disadvantaged individuals, and it had been revoked in 2017 during the Trump administration.

June 2021: Appointment to White House Supply Chain Task Force

In June 2021, Secretary Buttigieg was appointed as one of the leaders of a White House task force created to address supply chain disruptions.

October 2021: Resumption of activities after parental leave

In early October 2021, after taking parental leave since mid-August, Buttigieg resumed his activities as Secretary of Transportation, making several media appearances after "ramping up activities".

June 2022: Launch of Reconnecting Communities pilot program

In late June 2022, Secretary Buttigieg launched a $1 billion Reconnecting Communities pilot program designed to establish racial equity in roads. The program uses funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reconnect cities and neighborhoods divided by roads through projects like rapid bus lines and pedestrian walkways.

March 2023: Opposition to Spirit-Frontier merger

In March 2023, Secretary Buttigieg voiced his opposition to the proposed merger of Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, citing concerns that it would be anticompetitive.

December 2023: Record fine imposed on Southwest Airlines

In December 2023, the Department of Transportation, under Secretary Buttigieg, imposed a record fine of $140 million on Southwest Airlines for violations of consumer protection laws in 2022, when the company canceled numerous flights.

October 30, 2024: Airline refund rule takes effect

On October 30, 2024, Secretary Buttigieg announced that a rule had taken effect, requiring airlines to automatically provide refunds to passengers when flights are canceled and passengers do not accept an alternative flight, or if paid services are not provided.

January 2025: Consideration of U.S. Senate Run in Michigan

In January 2025, news reports indicated that Pete Buttigieg was considering a run for U.S. Senate in Michigan, following the announced retirement of Senator Gary Peters.

March 2025: Decision against Senate run, eyeing presidential run

In March 2025, Pete Buttigieg opted not to run for the U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2026, with sources indicating he was considering a run for president in 2028 instead.

April 2025: Fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics

From February to April 2025, Pete Buttigieg served as a fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, delivering a seminar on campus every week.

2025: Target Completion Date for South Shore Line Relocation

Pete Buttigieg set a goal to have the city complete the relocation of the South Shore Line station to downtown South Bend by 2025.

2025: Paris Agreement Emission Reduction Goal

The Carbon Neutral 2050 plan, approved in November 2019, set the goal of meeting the Paris Agreement's 26-percent emission reduction by 2025, and aiming for a further reductions of 45 percent by 2035.