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, most notably serving as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021-2025). He's a member of the Democratic Party and gained prominence as the 32nd Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012-2020), earning the moniker 'Mayor Pete.' Buttigieg is a public figure known for his political career and prior military service.

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, Buttigieg was chosen as a delegate from Indiana to the United States Senate Youth Program.

2000: Awarded First Prize in Essay Contest

In 2000, Buttigieg won first prize in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's Profiles in Courage essay contest for his essay on Bernie Sanders.

May 3, 2011: Wins Mayoral Primary Election

On May 3, 2011, Buttigieg won his primary election against four opponents, receiving 7,663 votes.

November 2011: Elected Mayor of South Bend

In November 2011, Buttigieg was elected mayor of South Bend with 10,991 of the 14,883 votes cast.

2014: Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow

In 2014, Buttigieg was an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow.

June 2015: Coming Out as Gay

In June 2015, Buttigieg came out as gay in a piece in the South Bend Tribune, becoming Indiana's first openly gay elected executive 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.

2015: Recipient of the Fenn Award

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

November 2016: Obama cited Buttigieg as Democratic talent

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.

2017: Smart Streets project officially completed

In 2017, the Smart Streets project was officially completed, and it was credited with spurring private development in South Bend.

June 2019: Named One of Queerty's "Pride50"

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

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.

December 2019: Rose into top-tier candidate

By December 2019, Pete Buttigieg had risen 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 Buttigieg had taken office, according to one estimate.

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.

August 2020: Equality Trailblazer Award

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

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.

2020: South Bend ranked on Best Cities list

In 2020, 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.