Will Kamala Harris pick Pete Buttigieg as her running mate?

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- The name Pete Buttigieg is gaining attention in political circles as speculation grows about who might be Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate if she secures the Democratic party's nomination for president.

Buttigieg is a member of President Joe Biden's cabinet, serving as the Secretary of Transportation. He acts as a representative for Biden and played a crucial role in his campaign for reelection.

When Biden exited the race for president, Buttigieg wasted no time in expressing gratitude for Biden's dedication and commitment to prioritizing the country.

He was also eager to support Harris, sharing the following statement:

Joe Biden has truly proven himself to be one of the greatest and most impactful presidents in our nation's history. Thanks to his leadership and achievements, Americans have greatly benefited. He consistently prioritizes the well-being of our country, as evidenced by his actions today, and I am confident he will continue to do so throughout the remainder of his presidency.

Kamala Harris is the perfect candidate to continue the progress made by Joe Biden and defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election. I have witnessed her outstanding leadership skills first hand, both during the 2020 campaign and throughout her time in the successful Biden-Harris administration. I am committed to supporting her in any way I can to ensure she becomes our next President and leads America into the future.

Troy Warner, a member of the Common Council, crossed paths with Buttigieg in the Democratic party circle in South Bend during the late 2000s.

I recall a time when people would come across Pete and think, "Wow, this guy is smart, he speaks well, and he really cares about others," shared Warner.

He was still young in his late twenties.

Warner mentioned that there were often many comparisons made between him and Barack Obama.

Originally from South Bend, he attempted to become the state treasurer in 2010 without success. However, the following year, he decided to run for mayor of South Bend and emerged victorious.

"Diana Hess, who is the chair of the St. Joseph County Democratic Party, mentioned that he had a large group of supporters and was well-liked during his time as mayor."

"We realized at that moment that Pete had a promising future ahead of him, extending beyond being the Mayor of South Bend," Warner remarked.

Therefore, it came as no shock when Buttigieg decided to run for president in 2020.

Warner said the most exciting thing was when he made South Bend the main focus of his presidential campaign four years ago.

Sharon McBride, President of the South Bend Common Council, mentioned that while Pete Buttigieg was mayor, he greatly improved the city, particularly the downtown area.

She expressed that it was a privilege to work alongside Mayor Pete. Together on the council, they achieved many things for the city, particularly the revitalization of South Bend. Despite being labeled as a declining city, Mayor Pete was able to breathe new life into it.

Buttigieg chose her as his national co-chair for his presidential campaign, so she is excited to hear his name being considered for a VP position.

"He has strong qualifications and I would definitely support him, which I think would be fantastic," McBride commented.

Buttigieg had to drop out of the race for President in 2020, but was later chosen by Biden to be the Secretary of Transportation.

His political triumph has not been without controversy, including the removal of South Bend’s initial Black police chief. Buttigieg made the decision to dismiss him after expressing concerns about a federal inquiry involving private recordings of police officers engaging in potentially racist and unlawful conversations. Even after thirteen years, these tapes have yet to be made public.

Hess mentioned that she is unsure about Buttigieg securing the position, but believes that Democrats are prepared to back the candidate who ends up on the ticket in the upcoming presidential election against Donald Trump.

"He's one of the most eloquent and intelligent spokespeople the party currently has," Hess commented. "He's extremely skilled. He can appear on Fox News, he can appear on MSNBC, he can converse with anyone and I truly believe he is one of the top spokespeople we have."

The Mayor of South Bend, James Mueller, teamed up with 250 mayors nationwide on Monday to support Kamala Harris as a possible Vice Presidential candidate. He believes that there are several strong choices for the position, including Pete Buttigieg.