Pete Buttigieg's been everywhere lately, don't forget he's a Michigander now
Chances are, if you're tuned into politics, you've been seeing a good bit more of Pete Buttigieg recently than might be expected from most U.S. transportation secretaries.
But you might not know that Mayor Pete — which is what he went by as the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, in his earlier political life — is a Michigander.
The Free Press reported some years ago that Buttigieg, the first openly gay person to serve in a presidential Cabinet position, and his husband, Chasten, moved to the Traverse City area, buying a house there to be closer to Chasten's family. Buttigieg, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, eventually endorsing President Joe Biden, also voted in Michigan in the 2022 midterm elections.
As for why you're seeing more of Buttigieg now, instead of, say, Energy Secretary (and former Michigan Gov.) Jennifer Granholm, there are a couple of big reasons for that.
He has been widely mentioned as a possible running mate for the Democrats' new presumptive nominee for president, Vice President Kamala Harris. And while some others may be seen as having better chances, Buttigieg's schedule of public appearances, touting Biden administration achievements and praising Harris, has been full. Since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has all but said she's out of the running, that means Buttigieg may be Michigan's best chance to land a spot on the ticket (which is likely to be decided very soon).
In a Democratic Party that has plenty of good public speakers, Buttigieg shines, especially when it comes to succinctly refuting Republican claims against the Biden administration or turning GOP talking points against themselves. Speaking recently on Fox News, he turned Republican complaints about Biden's age on former President Donald Trump, noting he's now the older nominee and given to "rambling about electrocuting sharks and Hannibal Lecter." On Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," he noted a 2021 speech in which Trump's running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, said people without children have "no physical commitment to the future of this country." Remembering his service in Afghanistan as a Naval Reserve officer before he had children, Buttigieg said, "When there was a rocket attack going on, my physical commitment to this country felt pretty physical."
Buttigieg is seen as key to bridging many of the Democratic Party's various voting blocs, including progressives and moderates, LGBT people and straight people. At age 42, he is also seen as able to reach out to younger voters.
Contact Todd Spangler: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pete Buttigieg's a Michigander on Harris' VP list