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, 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.
2000: Selection for US Senate Youth Program
In 2000, Buttigieg was selected as a delegate from Indiana to the United States Senate Youth Program.
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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.
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November 2011: Elected mayor of South Bend
In November 2011, Buttigieg was elected mayor of South Bend.
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2014: Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow
Pete Buttigieg was a 2014 Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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August 2020: Equality Trailblazer Award
In August 2020, Equality California, an LGBT-rights organization, gave Buttigieg and his husband Chasten their Equality Trailblazer Award.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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