History of Pete Buttigieg in Timeline
Pete Buttigieg is an American politician and former naval officer, most notably serving as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021-2025) and as the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012-2020). A member of the Democratic Party, his mayoral tenure earned him the moniker "Mayor Pete." His career blends political leadership with prior military service.
January 19, 1982: Pete Buttigieg's birth
On January 19, 1982, Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg was born.
2000: Selection for US Senate Youth Program
In 2000, Buttigieg was selected as a delegate from Indiana to the United States Senate Youth Program.
2000: Valedictorian and Profiles in Courage winner
In 2000, Buttigieg was valedictorian of his high school class and won first prize in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's Profiles in Courage essay contest.
2001: Support for Afghanistan Invasion
Pete Buttigieg has said that he believes the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks was justified.
2004: Work on Kerry's presidential campaign
In 2004, after college, Buttigieg worked on John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign as a policy and research specialist in Arizona and New Mexico.
2005: Conference Director at the Cohen Group
From 2004 to 2005, Buttigieg was the conference director of the Cohen Group.
2005: Involvement with Truman National Security Project
In 2005, Buttigieg became involved with the Truman National Security Project and serves as a fellow.
2006: Assistance to Joe Donnelly's campaign
In 2006, Buttigieg assisted Joe Donnelly's successful congressional campaign.
2008: Research Director for Jill Long Thompson's Campaign
In 2008, Buttigieg took a leave of absence from McKinsey to become research director for Jill Long Thompson's unsuccessful campaign for Indiana governor.
2008: Op-Ed Supporting Somaliland
In 2008, Pete Buttigieg wrote an op-ed in The New York Times calling on the United States to support the de facto independent Republic of Somaliland.
September 2009: Sworn into U.S. Navy Reserve
In September 2009, Buttigieg joined the U.S. Navy Reserve and was sworn in as an ensign in naval intelligence.
2010: Departure from McKinsey
Buttigieg left McKinsey in 2010 in order to focus full-time on his campaign for Indiana state treasurer.
2010: Democratic nominee for state treasurer
In 2010, Buttigieg was the Democratic nominee for state treasurer of Indiana but lost to the Republican incumbent.
2010: Todd Young's Support for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
In 2010, Todd Young voiced his support for retaining the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. This stance was later criticized by Buttigieg during the 2016 U.S. Senate election in Indiana, where Young was running against Evan Bayh, who had voted to repeal the policy.
May 3, 2011: Won Democratic primary for South Bend mayor
On May 3, 2011, Buttigieg won the Democratic primary election for mayor of South Bend.
November 2011: Elected mayor of South Bend
In November 2011, Buttigieg was elected mayor of South Bend.
2011: EPA Levied Fine Against South Bend
In 2011, prior to Buttigieg's tenure, the EPA had levied a fine against the city of South Bend for Clean Water Act violations. This fine served as the impetus for the city's smart sewer program.
January 2012: Buttigieg took office as mayor of South Bend
In January 2012, Buttigieg took office as mayor of South Bend, becoming the second-youngest mayor in South Bend history and the youngest incumbent mayor of a U.S. city with at least 100,000 residents at the time.
2012: Demotion of police chief Darryl Boykins
In 2012, Buttigieg demoted South Bend police chief Darryl Boykins after a federal investigation ruled that police had illegally recorded telephone calls of several officers.
2012: Boykins asked to resign as mayor
In 2012, Buttigieg made his "first serious mistake as mayor" by asking Darryl Boykins to resign.
2013: Launching of 3-1-1 System
In 2013, Buttigieg's administration oversaw the city's launching of a 3-1-1 system
2013: Performance with South Bend Symphony Orchestra
In 2013, Pete Buttigieg performed with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra as a guest piano soloist with Ben Folds.
2013: Smart Streets Urban Development Program Proposed
In 2013, Pete Buttigieg proposed the Smart Streets urban development program to improve South Bend's downtown area. This initiative aimed to revitalize the city center through strategic infrastructure improvements.
February 2014: Mark Neal served as Executive
From February 2014, Deputy Mayor Mark Neal, South Bend's city comptroller, served as executive until Buttigieg returned to his role as mayor in October 2014.
September 23, 2014: Returned to the United States
Buttigieg returned to the United States on September 23, 2014 after serving as mayor for seven months in Afghanistan.
October 2014: Buttigieg returned to his role as mayor
In October 2014, Buttigieg returned to his role as mayor after a seven-month leave to deploy to Afghanistan.
2014: Announced campaign for a second term
In 2014, Buttigieg announced that he would seek a second term in 2015.
2014: Deployment to Afghanistan
In 2014, Buttigieg took a seven-month leave during his mayoral term to deploy to Afghanistan as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
2014: Appointment to the Board of Advisors
In 2014, Buttigieg was named to the board of advisors of the Truman National Security Project.
2014: Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow
Pete Buttigieg was a 2014 Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow.
May 2015: "River Lights" Installation Unveiled
In May 2015, the "River Lights" installation was unveiled as part of South Bend's 150th anniversary celebrations.
June 2015: Coming Out as Gay
In June 2015, Pete Buttigieg came out as gay in a piece in the South Bend Tribune, becoming Indiana's first openly gay elected executive.
August 2015: Began Dating Chasten Glezman
In August 2015, Pete Buttigieg began dating Chasten Glezman after meeting on the dating app Hinge.
November 2015: Re-elected as mayor of South Bend
In November 2015, Buttigieg was re-elected to his second term as mayor of South Bend.
November 2015: Completion of Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative
In November 2015, the "Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative" reached its goal two months before its scheduled end date.
2015: Recipient of the Fenn Award
In 2015, Buttigieg was a recipient of the Fenn Award, given by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in recognition of his work as mayor.
2015: Buttigieg comes out as gay
In 2015, Pete Buttigieg came out as gay and expressed his solidarity with the LGBTQ community during his reelection campaign.
2015: Ruling on Boykins' recordings
In 2015, a federal judge ruled that Boykins's recordings violated the Federal Wiretap Act.
2015: Smart Streets Bond Issue Secured
In early 2015, after conducting traffic studies and public hearings, Buttigieg secured a bond issue for the Smart Streets program. The funding was backed by tax increment financing, enabling the project to move forward.
2015: 2015 Rail Safety Rule
In the weeks following the derailment, the Transportation Department, under Buttigieg, did not move to reinstate the 2015 rail safety rule aimed at expanding the use of better braking technology, which the Trump administration had revoked.
November 2016: Praise from The New York Times and Barack Obama
In November 2016, Frank Bruni of The New York Times published a column praising Buttigieg's work as mayor, questioning if he might be "the first gay president". Additionally, Barack Obama cited him as one of the Democratic Party's talents.
2016: Executive order to establish a city identification card
After winning reelection, Buttigieg signed an executive order in 2016 helping to establish a recognized city identification card.
2016: Campaigning in the 2016 U.S. Senate Election
In 2016, Buttigieg campaigned on behalf of Democratic Senate nominee Evan Bayh. He also endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries and Lynn Coleman in the election for Indiana's 2nd congressional district.
2016: Smart Streets Project Elements Finished
In 2016, elements of the Smart Streets project were completed. This complete streets implementation program was aimed at improving economic development, urban vibrancy, and road safety in South Bend.
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. The goal was to facilitate industrial and housing units in the Renaissance District.
January 2017: Candidacy for DNC Chair Announced
In January 2017, Buttigieg announced his candidacy for chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in its 2017 chairmanship election. He campaigned on empowering millennial members.
March 2017: Defense of DACA and Criticism of Deportation Policies
In March 2017, Pete Buttigieg wrote an article defending a resident of Granger, Indiana, who was deported after living in the U.S. for 17 years.
December 14, 2017: Engagement Announcement
On December 14, 2017, Pete Buttigieg announced his engagement to Chasten Glezman.
2017: Increased National Profile
Following his run in the 2017 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election, Buttigieg's national profile grew, leading to increased out-of-city travel.
2017: Left the U.S. Navy Reserve
In 2017, Buttigieg left the U.S. Navy Reserve.
2017: Ivy Tower Renovation Announcement
In 2017, it was announced that the long-abandoned Studebaker Building 84, also known as Ivy Tower, would have its exterior renovated. This project was funded with $3.5 million from the State of Indiana and $3.5 million from South Bend tax increment financing, with plans for the building to serve as a technology hub.
2017: Revocation of Obama-Era Pilot Program
In 2017, the Obama-era pilot program which ensures local hiring for public works projects was revoked during the Trump administration, before being reinstated by Buttigieg in 2021.
2017: Smart Streets Project Completed
In 2017, the Smart Streets project was officially completed in South Bend. This initiative was credited with spurring private development in the city, marking a significant achievement for Buttigieg's administration.
2017: Smart Sewer Program's First Phase Completed
In 2017, the first phase of South Bend's smart sewer program was completed at a cost of $150 million. This effort, utilizing federal funds, aimed to reduce combined sewer overflow.
June 2018: Buttigieg's marriage to Chasten Glezman
In June 2018, Pete Buttigieg married Chasten Glezman, a schoolteacher and writer.
June 16, 2018: Marriage to Chasten Glezman
On June 16, 2018, Pete Buttigieg married Chasten Glezman in a private ceremony, making him the first mayor of South Bend to get married while in office.
August 2018: South Shore Line Station Relocation Idea Promoted
In August 2018, Buttigieg promoted the idea of moving South Bend's South Shore Line station from South Bend International Airport to the city's downtown, aiming to improve transportation infrastructure.
December 2018: Announcement Not Seeking Third Term as Mayor
In December 2018, Buttigieg announced that he would not seek a third term as mayor of South Bend. He then endorsed James Mueller in the 2019 South Bend mayoral election.
2018: Speculation of Running for Governor or President
By early 2018, there was speculation that Buttigieg would run for either governor or president in 2020, as his national profile continued to rise.
2018: Founded Hitting Home PAC and Endorsements
In 2018, Buttigieg founded the political action committee (PAC) Hitting Home PAC. That October, Buttigieg personally endorsed 21 congressional candidates. He also endorsed Mel Hall and campaigned for Joe Donnelly's reelection.
2018: Support for Medicare for All
In 2018, Pete Buttigieg said he favored Medicare for All.
January 2019: Criticism of Trump's Troop Deployment to Southern Border
In January 2019, Pete Buttigieg criticized Trump's decision to send American troops to the Southern border.
January 23, 2019: Presidential Run Announcement
On January 23, 2019, Buttigieg officially announced his run for President of the United States.
February 12, 2019: Publication of "Shortest Way Home"
On February 12, 2019, amid the start of his presidential effort, Buttigieg published his debut book, the autobiography titled "Shortest Way Home".
April 2019: City Climate Plan Development Approved
In April 2019, the Common Council approved Buttigieg's request to enable his administration to develop a city climate plan. Buttigieg subsequently signed a contract with the Chicago firm Delta Institute to assist in developing the plan.
May 2019: Mueller Won Democratic Primary
In May 2019, James Mueller, endorsed by Buttigieg, won the Democratic primary with 37 percent of the vote in a crowded field for South Bend mayoral election.
June 2019: Comments on Saudi Arabia
In June 2019, Pete Buttigieg commented on working with Saudi Arabia while also emphasizing not selling out values for fossil fuel access.
June 2019: Shooting of Eric Logan and Public Reaction
In June 2019, after a white South Bend police officer shot and killed Eric Logan, an African American man, Buttigieg paused his presidential campaign to address the public reaction. This included a town hall meeting with disaffected activists and relatives of Logan.
June 2019: Named one of Queerty's "Pride50"
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Queerty named Buttigieg one of its "Pride50" people in June 2019, recognizing him as a trailblazer for queer equality.
July 2019: "Douglass Plan" Release
In July 2019, Pete Buttigieg shared his "Douglass Plan" to address systemic racism in America.
July 2019: Plan to Strengthen Union Bargaining Power Release
In July 2019, he released a plan to strengthen union bargaining power, to raise the minimum wage to $15, and to offer national paid family leave.
August 2019: $300 Billion Mental Health Plan Release
In August 2019, Pete Buttigieg released a $300 billion plan to expand mental health care services and fight addiction.
October 2019: Golden Heart Award for Outstanding Leadership and Public Service
In October 2019, at the Golden Heart Awards, run by God's Love We Deliver, Buttigieg was awarded the "Golden Heart Award for Outstanding Leadership and Public Service".
November 2019: Review of South Bend Police Department Policies Commissioned
In November 2019, Buttigieg secured $180,000 to commission a review of South Bend's police department policies and practices. This review was to be conducted by the Chicago-based consulting firm 21CP Solutions, following the shooting of Eric Logan.
November 2019: Mueller Won General Election
In November 2019, James Mueller, endorsed by Buttigieg, won the general election for South Bend mayor, defeating Republican nominee Sean M. Haas with 63 percent of the vote.
November 2019: Carbon Neutral 2050 Plan Approved
In late November 2019, South Bend's Common Council voted 7-0 to approve the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan. This plan set the goal of meeting the Paris Agreement's 26 percent emission reduction by 2025, and aimed for further reductions of 45 percent by 2035.
December 2019: Rise to Top-Tier Presidential Candidate
By December 2019, Buttigieg, initially regarded as a long-shot candidate, had risen into the top-tier of candidates in the Democratic presidential primary.
2019: Private Investment in South Bend
By 2019, South Bend had seen $374 million in private investment for mixed-use developments since Buttigieg took office. Another estimate noted roughly $200 million in private investment in Downtown South Bend during Buttigieg's tenure.
2019: Buttigieg Requests Release from EPA Agreement
In 2019, Buttigieg requested that South Bend be released from an agreement with the EPA. This agreement, brokered under his mayoral predecessor, committed South Bend to making hundreds of millions of dollars in further improvements to its sewer system by 2031.
2019: Call for Decriminalization of Mental Illness and Addiction
In 2019, Pete Buttigieg called for the United States to decriminalize mental illness and addiction.
2019: Commuters Trust Transportation Program Launched
In 2019, South Bend launched Commuters Trust, a new transportation benefit program created in collaboration with local employers and transportation providers. This was made possible by a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge.
February 2020: Led Iowa Caucus and Finished Second in New Hampshire Primary
In early February 2020, Buttigieg led the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses and finished second in the New Hampshire primary, marking a historic first for an openly gay candidate winning a state presidential primary.
March 1, 2020: Buttigieg dropped out of presidential race
On March 1, 2020, Buttigieg dropped out of the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primary.
April 2020: Win The Era PAC Launched
In April 2020, Buttigieg launched Win The Era PAC, a new super PAC to raise money and distribute it 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 Buttigieg as a teacher and researcher for the 2020-21 academic year.
August 2020: Equality Trailblazer Award
In August 2020, Equality California, an LGBT-rights organization, gave Buttigieg and his husband Chasten their Equality Trailblazer Award.
September 5, 2020: Member of Biden-Harris Transition Team Advisory Council
On September 5, 2020, 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: Release of "Trust: America's Best Chance"
In October 2020, Buttigieg released his second book, titled "Trust: America's Best Chance".
November 7, 2020: Biden Declared Winner of Election
Following the end of his presidential campaign, after Biden was declared the winner of the election on November 7, 2020, Buttigieg was mentioned as a possible nominee for various Cabinet positions.
December 15, 2020: Nomination as Secretary of Transportation
On December 15, 2020, Biden announced that he would nominate Buttigieg as his Secretary of Transportation, a significant milestone in Buttigieg's career.
December 2020: Nomination for Secretary of Transportation
In December 2020, President-elect Biden nominated Buttigieg as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation.
2020: $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Proposal
During his 2020 campaign, Pete Buttigieg proposed spending $1 trillion on U.S. infrastructure projects over ten years.
2020: Campaign Finance Reform Advocacy
During his 2020 presidential run, Pete Buttigieg's campaign emphasized critical campaign finance reforms, including overturning Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo.
2020: Debt-Free College Plan
During the 2020 campaign, Pete Buttigieg's plan for debt-free college included expanding Pell Grants and reversing Trump's tax cuts.
2020: Buttigieg's run for President of the United States
In 2020, Buttigieg ran for President of the United States.
2020: Mueller Took Office
In 2020, on New Year's Day, James Mueller took office as the mayor of South Bend, succeeding Pete Buttigieg.
2020: South Bend Ranked Among Best Small Cities
In 2020, the website Best Cities ranked South Bend number 39 on its list of the 100 best small cities in the United States. This recognition cited Buttigieg's efforts to revitalize the Studebaker factory and Downtown South Bend.
2020: Speculation of Buttigieg Running for President
In 2020, there was speculation that Buttigieg would run for president.
February 2, 2021: Buttigieg confirmed 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.
February 2021: Addressed African American Mayors Association
In late February 2021, Buttigieg addressed the African American Mayors Association to discuss systemic racism, arguing that misguided investments in federal transport and infrastructure policy had contributed to racial inequity.
March 2021: Consideration of Tolls on Interstate 80
In March 2021, Pete Buttigieg indicated he was open to tolls on Interstate 80, but not on bridges, suggesting "big picture solutions" instead, like a mileage tax.
March 2021: Focus on Racial Equity in Interviews
In early March 2021, it was noted that Buttigieg had mentioned racial equity in almost every interview he gave to the press as it related to his work at the Department of Transportation.
March 2021: Prioritizing Gateway Rail Tunnel Project
In late March 2021, Pete Buttigieg informed Congress that the Biden administration planned to prioritize the construction of the Gateway Rail Tunnel Project.
May 2021: Cassette tapes must be released to South Bend City Council
In May 2021, Judge Hostetler ruled that the cassette tapes must be released to the South Bend City Council.
May 19, 2021: Reinstatement of Obama-Era Pilot Program
On May 19, 2021, as Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg reinstated an Obama-era pilot program which ensures local hiring for public works projects, aiming to help minorities and disadvantaged individuals.
June 2021: Appointment to Supply Chain Task Force
In June 2021, Pete Buttigieg was appointed as one of the leaders of a White House task force created to address supply chain disruptions.
August 2021: Parental Leave
In August 2021, Pete Buttigieg began his parental leave after the birth of his twins, which later became a point of criticism from conservative figures.
August 17, 2021: Announcement of Parenthood
On August 17, 2021, Pete Buttigieg announced that he and his husband had become parents.
September 4, 2021: Adoption of Twins
On September 4, 2021, Pete Buttigieg elaborated that he and his husband had adopted two newborn fraternal twins.
October 2021: Supply Chain Bottleneck Prediction
By October 2021, with global supply bottlenecks resulting in record shortages, Pete Buttigieg predicted the disruptions would continue into the next year.
October 2021: Buttigieg Ramps Up Activities After Parental Leave
In early October 2021, Pete Buttigieg increased his public activities after being mostly offline since mid-August due to parental leave.
June 2022: Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program Launched
In late June 2022, Buttigieg launched a $1 billion Reconnecting Communities pilot program to establish racial equity in roads. This program aims to reconnect cities and neighborhoods divided by roads.
July 2022: Moved to Traverse City, Michigan
In July 2022, Pete Buttigieg established his permanent residence in Traverse City, Michigan, his husband Chasten's hometown, and registered to vote in Michigan.
2022: Criticism for Airline Oversight
In 2022, Pete Buttigieg faced criticism for his handling of issues in United States passenger aviation, specifically not penalizing negligent airlines enough.
2022: Southwest Airlines Consumer Protection Violations
In 2022, Southwest Airlines had mass violations of consumer protection laws.
February 3, 2023: East Palestine Train Derailment
On February 3, 2023, a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, leading to evacuations and environmental concerns.
February 23, 2023: NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Derailment
On February 23, 2023, the NTSB released a preliminary report stating that the wheel bearings overheated.
March 2023: Buttigieg Addresses Derailment Response Criticism
In March 2023, Pete Buttigieg acknowledged he erred in not visiting East Palestine sooner and failing to anticipate the fallout from the derailment.
March 2023: Opposition to Spirit-Frontier Merger
In March 2023, Pete Buttigieg opposed the proposed merger of Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines on the grounds that it was anticompetitive.
December 2023: Record Fine for Southwest Airlines
In December 2023, the Department of Transportation imposed a record fine of $140 million on Southwest Airlines for mass violations of consumer protection laws in 2022.
2023: Study on Buttigieg's Electability Published
In 2023, a study by political scientists from Loyola Marymount University reported how different aspects of Buttigieg's biography affected voters' views on his electability as a US President, highlighting the impact of his military background.
August 2024: Inducted into LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame
In August 2024, Buttigieg was inducted by the LGBTQ Victory Fund into the LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame.
October 30, 2024: Airline Refund Rule Announcement
On October 30, 2024, Pete Buttigieg announced that a rule had taken effect requiring airlines to automatically provide refunds to passengers whose flights are canceled and do not accept another flight, as well as if paid services are not provided.
January 2025: Consideration of U.S. Senate Run in Michigan
In January 2025, news reports emerged that Pete Buttigieg was considering a run for U.S. Senate in Michigan.
January 2025: Appointment as Fellow at University of Chicago
In late January 2025, Pete Buttigieg was announced as a fellow in the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics.
April 2025: End of University of Chicago Seminars
Through early April 2025, Buttigieg is delivering seminars once a week at Chicago's campus in Hyde Park
2025: South Shore Line Station Project Completion Goal
By 2025, Buttigieg aimed to have South Bend complete the project of moving the city's South Shore Line station from the airport to downtown. This was a significant infrastructure goal during his tenure.
2025: Paris Agreement Emission Reduction Goal
By 2025, the city of South Bend aims to meet the Paris Agreement's 26 percent emission reduction goal, as part of the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan approved in November 2019.
2031: Sewer Improvement Deadline
In 2031, South Bend was originally scheduled to complete hundreds of millions of dollars in further improvements to its sewer system, as per the agreement with the EPA brokered under Buttigieg's mayoral predecessor. Buttigieg later asked for the city to be released from this agreement.
2035: Further Emission Reductions Goal
By 2035, the city of South Bend aims for further emission reductions of 45 percent, as part of the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan approved in November 2019.
2050: Carbon Neutral Goal by 2050
In 2050, the city of South Bend aims to be carbon neutral, as outlined in the Carbon Neutral 2050 plan approved by the Common Council in November 2019.
