Pete Buttigieg's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Pete Buttigieg. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Pete Buttigieg is an American politician and former naval officer. He served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025. Before that, he was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, gaining the moniker "Mayor Pete." A member of the Democratic Party, Buttigieg is a prominent figure in American politics, known for his relatively young age and his focus on infrastructure and policy.

Sections (6)

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

2000: Delegate to United States Senate Youth Program

In 2000, Pete Buttigieg was selected as a delegate from Indiana to the United States Senate Youth Program.

2000: First Prize in Essay Contest

In 2000, Pete Buttigieg won first prize in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's Profiles in Courage essay contest. The subject was Bernie Sanders.

November 2011: Elected Mayor of South Bend

In November 2011, Pete Buttigieg was elected mayor of South Bend, receiving 10,991 votes.

2014: Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow

Buttigieg was selected as a 2014 Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow.

November 2015: Elected to Second Term as Mayor

In November 2015, Pete Buttigieg was elected to his second term as mayor, securing over 80 percent of the vote against Republican Kelly Jones.

2015: Recipient of the Fenn Award

In 2015, Buttigieg received the Fenn Award, given by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, in recognition of his work as mayor.

November 2016: Obama cites Buttigieg as one of the Democratic Party's talents

In November 2016 Barack Obama cited Pete Buttigieg as one of the Democratic Party's talents in a profile on the outgoing president conducted by The New Yorker.

June 2019: Named one of Queerty's Pride50

In June 2019, Queerty named Buttigieg one of its "Pride50" people to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

October 2019: "Golden Heart Award for Outstanding Leadership and Public Service"

In October 2019, Buttigieg was awarded the "Golden Heart Award for Outstanding Leadership and Public Service" at the Golden Heart Awards, run by God's Love We Deliver.

2019: Private Investment in South Bend

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

August 2020: Equality Trailblazer Award

In August 2020, Equality California gave Buttigieg and his husband Chasten their Equality Trailblazer Award.

2020: South Bend Ranked as Best Small City

In 2020, the website Best Cities ranked South Bend number 39 on its list of the 100 best small cities in the United States, citing Buttigieg's efforts to revitalize the Studebaker factory and Downtown South Bend.

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.