President-elect Joe Biden introduced Pete Buttigieg, his pick for transportation secretary, touting him as a fresh face and a future leader in remarks likely to fuel 2024 speculation about the failed 2020 Democratic primary candidate.

Buttigieg, 38, the two-term mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and once a Democratic White House hopeful, was one of Biden’s fiercest opponents during the primary. If confirmed, Buttigieg would be the first openly gay secretary approved by the Senate.