Will Kamala Harris pick Pete Buttigieg as her running mate?

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- The name Pete Buttigieg is making its rounds in political circles as people question who will run with Vice President Kamala Harris if she indeed gets the presidential nomination from the Democratic party.

Buttigieg serves on President Joe Biden's cabinet as Secretary of Transportation. He's what's called a surrogate for Biden; he was a vital part of his reelection campaign.

After Biden dropped out of the presidential contest, Buttigieg was quick with a response thanking Biden for his service and putting the country first.

He was also quick to endorse Harris, releasing the following statement:

"Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in our history. Americans are much better off because of his leadership and accomplishments. He always puts our country first, as he demonstrated today, and I know he will continue to do so for the rest of his term.

Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as President. I have seen her extraordinary leadership firsthand, working closely with her during the 2020 campaign and then in the historically effective Biden-Harris administration. I will do all that I can to help her win this election to lead America forward as our next President."

Common Council Member Troy Warner met Buttigieg in the late 2000s in South Bend's Democratic party scene.

"I remember back then, you know, people would meet Pete and they were like, 'wow, this young man is intelligent, he's well spoken, he has passion and compassion for people,'" Warner said.

He was only in his late 20s at the time.

"You'd always hear a lot of comparisons between him and Barack Obama," Warner said.

A South Bend native, he first ran for state treasurer in 2010 and lost, but the very next year ran for mayor of South Bend and won.

"He was very popular when he was mayor, he had a big following," said Diana Hess, St. Joseph County Democratic Party chair.

"We knew, then, that Pete was going places beyond just Mayor of South Bend," Warner said.

So it was no surprise, then, when Buttigieg ran for president in 2020.

"The really cool part was he made South Bend the center point of his presidential campaign four years ago," Warner said.

South Bend Common Council President Sharon McBride said during his tenure as mayor, Buttigieg transformed the city, especially downtown.

"Working with Mayor Pete was an honor," she said. "Serving with him on the council, we got a lot accomplished in the city, of course, with the revitalization of South Bend. You know, they classified us as a dying city and he rejuvenated it."

Buttigieg named her national co-chair on his presidential campaign, so she's thrilled to hear his name thrown out for a VP pick.

"Well, he's very well qualified and he would definitely have my support, that would be great," McBride said.

Buttigieg eventually ended his 2020 presidential campaign and was later appointed by Biden to serve as Secretary of Transportation.

His political success is not without its share of scandal, such as the ousting of South Bend’s first Black police chief. That attempted firing came after Buttigieg cited concerns of a federal investigation taking place into private police tapes, where racist and possibly illegal conversations took place. Thirteen years later, the tapes have never been heard by the public.

Hess said she doesn't know if Buttigieg will get the spot, but says in general, Democrats are ready to support the ticket regardless of who it is in a presidential race against Donald Trump.

"He's one of the most articulate, smart messengers I think the party has right now," Hess said. "He's very good. He can go on Fox News, he can go on MSNBC, he can talk to anyone and I just think he's one of the best messengers we have."

South Bend Mayor James Mueller joined 250 mayors across the country Monday to endorse Kamala Harris, saying she has many great options to choose from for VP, including Buttigieg.