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 U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025. Prior to this, he was the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, earning him the moniker "Mayor Pete." A member of the Democratic Party, Buttigieg is a prominent figure in American politics.
2002: Internship for 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 in Arizona and New Mexico.
2005: Conference Director at the Cohen Group
From 2004 to 2005, Pete Buttigieg was the 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, serving as a fellow with expertise in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
2006: Assistance to Joe Donnelly's Congressional Campaign
In 2006, Pete Buttigieg assisted Joe Donnelly's successful congressional campaign.
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: Joined U.S. Navy Reserve
In September 2009, Pete Buttigieg joined the U.S. Navy Reserve and was sworn in as an ensign in naval intelligence.
2010: Left McKinsey & Company
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 Republican incumbent Richard Mourdock.
May 3, 2011: Won Primary Election for South Bend Mayor
On May 3, 2011, Pete Buttigieg won his primary election against four opponents 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: Took Office as Mayor of South Bend
In January 2012, Pete Buttigieg took office as mayor of South Bend at the age of 29.
2012: Demotion of Police Chief Darryl Boykins
In 2012, Pete Buttigieg demoted South Bend police chief Darryl Boykins after a federal investigation found that the police had illegally recorded telephone calls of several officers.
2012: Request for Darryl Boykins's Resignation
In 2012, Shortly after taking office, Pete Buttigieg asked for Police Chief Darryl Boykins's resignation, which he later called his "first serious mistake as mayor".
2013: Launching of a 3-1-1 system
In 2013, Buttigieg's administration oversaw the city's launching of a 3-1-1 system.
2013: Proposed Smart Streets urban development program
In 2013, Pete Buttigieg proposed the Smart Streets urban development program to improve South Bend's downtown area.
February 2014: Deputy Mayor served as executive
From February 2014, Deputy Mayor Mark Neal, South Bend's city comptroller, served as executive.
September 23, 2014: Return to the United States
Pete Buttigieg returned to the United States on September 23, 2014, after serving for seven months in Afghanistan.
October 2014: Buttigieg returned to his role as mayor
In October 2014, Pete Buttigieg returned to his role as mayor.
2014: Announced he would seek a second term
In 2014, Pete Buttigieg announced his intention to seek a second term as mayor in 2015.
2014: Deployment to Afghanistan
In 2014, Pete Buttigieg took a seven-month leave during his mayoral term to deploy to Afghanistan.
2014: Named to Truman National Security Project's board of advisors
In 2014, Pete Buttigieg was named to the Truman National Security Project's board of advisors.
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. The project cost $700,000, which was raised from private funds.
June 2015: Coming Out as Gay
In June 2015, Buttigieg publicly came out as gay in an article in the South Bend Tribune, becoming the first openly gay elected executive in Indiana. He was the first elected official in Indiana to come out while in office and the highest elected official in Indiana to come out.
November 2015: Elected to second term as mayor
In November 2015, Pete Buttigieg was elected to his second term as mayor of South Bend with over 80 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Kelly Jones.
November 2015: "Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative" Reached Goal
In November 2015, the "Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative" (1,000 Properties in 1,000 Days) reached its goal two months before its scheduled end date.
2015: Secured bond issue for Smart Streets program
In early 2015, after traffic studies and public hearings, Pete Buttigieg secured a bond issue for the Smart Streets program, backed by tax increment financing.
2016: Signed executive order for city identification card
In 2016, after winning reelection, Pete Buttigieg signed an executive order to help establish a recognized city identification card in South Bend.
2016: Smart Streets project partially finished
In 2016, elements of the Smart Streets project were completed.
2016: Broke ground on Studebaker complex renovation
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, aiming to facilitate industrial and housing units.
2016: Campained for Evan Bayh and endorsed Hillary Clinton
In the 2016 U.S. Senate election in Indiana, Pete Buttigieg campaigned for Democratic Senate nominee Evan Bayh. In the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries, Buttigieg endorsed Hillary Clinton.
January 2017: Announced candidacy for DNC chair
In January 2017, Pete Buttigieg announced his candidacy for chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
March 2017: HuffPost Article on 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. He criticized the Trump administration's deportation policies and supported DACA.
2017: Increased out-of-city travel
Following his run in the 2017 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election, Pete Buttigieg increased his out-of-city travel.
2017: Left U.S. Navy Reserve
In 2017, Pete Buttigieg left the U.S. Navy Reserve.
2017: Studebaker Building 84 to be renovated
In 2017, it was announced that the exterior of the long-abandoned Studebaker Building 84, also known as Ivy Tower, would be renovated with funds from the State of Indiana and South Bend tax increment financing to serve as a technology hub.
2017: Smart sewer program first phase finished
In 2017, the first phase of the city's smart sewer program, costing $150 million, was completed.
2017: Smart Streets project officially completed
The Smart Streets project was officially completed in 2017 and was credited with spurring private development in the city.
June 16, 2018: Marriage to Chasten Glezman
On June 16, 2018, Pete Buttigieg married Chasten Glezman in a private ceremony at the Cathedral of St. James, making Buttigieg the first mayor of South Bend to get married while in office.
August 2018: Promoted moving South Shore Line station
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 would not seek third term as mayor
In December 2018, Pete Buttigieg announced that he would not seek a third term as mayor of South Bend.
2018: Speculation about running for governor or president
By early 2018, there was speculation that Pete Buttigieg would run for either governor or president in 2020.
2018: Founded Hitting Home PAC
For the 2018 midterms, Pete Buttigieg founded the political action committee (PAC) Hitting Home PAC. He also endorsed 21 congressional candidates that October.
January 2019: Criticism of Troop Deployment to Southern Border
In January 2019, Buttigieg criticized President Trump's decision to send American troops to the Southern border, describing it as reckless during an interview with CBS News.
January 23, 2019: 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".
April 14, 2019: Launch of Presidential Campaign
On April 14, 2019, Pete Buttigieg launched his campaign for the 2020 presidential election, becoming the first openly gay man to launch a Democratic presidential campaign.
April 2019: Common Council approved climate plan development
In April 2019, the Common Council approved Pete Buttigieg's request to develop a city climate plan, and he signed a contract with the Chicago firm Delta Institute to assist.
August 2019: Mental Health Plan Release
In August 2019, Pete Buttigieg released a $300 billion plan focused on expanding mental health care services and combating addiction.
November 2019: Secured funding to review police department policies
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.
November 2019: Carbon Neutral 2050 plan approved
In late November 2019, South Bend's Common Council voted to approve the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan, setting emission reduction goals in line with the Paris Agreement.
December 2019: Rose into the top-tier of candidates
By December 2019, Pete Buttigieg rose into the top-tier of candidates in the Democratic primary.
2019: Private investment in South Bend
By 2019, South Bend had seen $374 million in private investment for mixed-use developments since Pete Buttigieg took office.
2019: Asked for city to be released from agreement with EPA
In 2019, Pete Buttigieg requested that South Bend be released from an agreement with the EPA, brokered under his mayoral predecessor, to make further improvements to its sewer system by 2031.
2019: South Bend launched Commuters Trust
In 2019, South Bend launched Commuters Trust, a new transportation benefit program in collaboration with local employers and transportation providers, including South Bend Transpo and Lyft, made possible by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge.
February 2020: Led Iowa Democratic caucuses results
In early February 2020, Pete Buttigieg led the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses results.
March 1, 2020: Withdrawal from Presidential Race
On March 1, 2020, Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
April 2020: Launched Win The Era PAC
In April 2020, Pete Buttigieg launched Win The Era PAC to raise and distribute money to down-ballot Democrats, focusing on local elected positions.
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: Member of Biden-Harris Transition Team
On September 5, 2020, Pete Buttigieg was announced as a member of the advisory council of the Biden-Harris Transition Team, which was planning the presidential transition of Joe Biden.
October 2020: Released Trust: America's Best Chance
In October 2020, Pete Buttigieg released his second book, "Trust: America's Best Chance."
November 7, 2020: Biden declared winner of election
Following the end of his presidential campaign, After Joe Biden was declared the winner of the election on November 7, 2020, Pete Buttigieg was mentioned as a possible nominee for various cabinet positions.
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 as Secretary of Transportation
In December 2020, President-elect Biden named Pete Buttigieg as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation.
2020: Speculation about 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 Campaign
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.
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 openly gay Cabinet secretary in U.S. history.
March 2021: Consideration of tolls on Interstate 80
In March 2021, Buttigieg indicated he was open to tolls on Interstate 80, while preferring "big picture solutions" like a mileage tax, to address road traffic safety and infrastructure policy.
March 2021: Prioritization of Gateway Rail Tunnel Project
In late March 2021, Buttigieg informed Congress that the Biden administration would prioritize the construction of the Gateway Rail Tunnel Project because of its economic significance, noting that progress on the project was moving faster.
May 19, 2021: Reinstatement of Obama-era pilot program
On May 19, 2021, as Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg reinstated an Obama-era pilot program that ensures local hiring for public works projects, aiming to aid minorities and disadvantaged individuals. This program had been revoked in 2017 by the Trump administration.
June 2021: Appointment to White House Task Force
In June 2021, Buttigieg was appointed as one of the leaders of a White House task force created to address ongoing supply chain disruptions.
June 2022: Launch of Reconnecting Communities pilot program
In June 2022, Buttigieg launched a $1 billion Reconnecting Communities pilot program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to address racial inequity in roads by reconnecting cities and neighborhoods divided by roads through projects like rapid bus lines and pedestrian walkways.
March 2023: Opposition to Spirit and Frontier Airlines merger
In March 2023, Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg opposed the proposed merger of Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, deeming it anticompetitive.
December 2023: Record fine imposed on Southwest Airlines
In December 2023, the Department of Transportation imposed a record fine of $140 million on Southwest Airlines for consumer protection law violations in 2022, due to mass flight cancellations that stranded over 2 million passengers.
October 30, 2024: New rule for automatic airline refunds
On October 30, 2024, Buttigieg announced the implementation of a rule requiring airlines to automatically provide refunds to passengers for canceled flights when they do not accept an alternative flight, and also for services not provided.
January 2025: Consideration of U.S. Senate run in Michigan
In January 2025, news reports indicated that Buttigieg was considering running for U.S. Senate in Michigan following the announced retirement of U.S. Senator Gary Peters, after previously expressing interest in running for governor.
January 2025: Appointment as Fellow at University of Chicago
In late January 2025, Buttigieg was announced as a fellow at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics for the Winter and Spring quarters, delivering seminars once a week.
March 2025: Decision against U.S. Senate run in Michigan
In March 2025, Buttigieg decided not to run for the U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2026, with sources indicating he was considering a presidential run in 2028 instead.
April 2025: End of University of Chicago Fellowship
In early April 2025, Buttigieg concluded his fellowship at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, where he delivered weekly seminars since January 2025.
2025: Carbon Neutral 2050 plan goal
In 2025, the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan aims for the goal of meeting the Paris Agreement's 26-percent emission reduction by 2025, and aiming for further reductions of 45 percent by 2035.
2025: Goal to complete South Shore Line station project
Pete Buttigieg set a goal to have the city complete the South Shore Line station project by 2025.
2035: Carbon Neutral 2050 plan goal
In 2035, the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan aims for the goal of meeting the Paris Agreement's 26-percent emission reduction by 2025, and aiming for further reductions of 45 percent by 2035.
2050: Carbon Neutral 2050 plan goal
In 2050, the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan aims for the goal of meeting the Paris Agreement's 26-percent emission reduction by 2025, and aiming for further reductions of 45 percent by 2035.
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