President-elect Joe Biden tapped former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be the secretary of transportation in his administration, multiple outlets reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Many see a Cabinet post for Buttigieg as essential for the former mayor’s political aspirations — giving him what many Democrats say is “needed experience” before he could mount another presidential campaign, according to CNN. Buttigieg is the first openly gay candidate nominated to Biden’s administration and, if confirmed, would be the first openly gay Cabinet secretary to be approved by the Senate.
Buttigieg emerged from a crowded list of contenders for the role — edging out Rahm Emmanuel, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Obama Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari.
Biden has promised to select a diverse Cabinet.
Biden tapped longtime confidant Ron Klain to be his chief of staff on Nov. 11. Klain previously served in the same position for the first two years of Biden’s vice presidency.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, his campaign manager, will be his deputy chief of staff, and former Obama deputy ethics counsel Dana Remus will return as White House counsel. Steve Ricchetti will be a presidential adviser and Mike Donilon a senior adviser. Biden also named Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond to be his public engagement director, and Julie Rodriguez will direct the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Annie Tomasini will be the Oval Office operations director.
