Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he would not be running for a Michigan Senate seat. He stated that he would continue to be a member in Chief Joe Biden’s Cabinet.
Buttigieg, who was under fire after a wave of holiday flight cancellations, stated that he is now at the president’s pleasure.
Buttigieg said that he loves his job and feels like he’s right in the thick of it all. “This job is my favorite in federal government. It has been challenging to deal with many issues, particularly COVID-related issues which affect everything from container shipping and airline cancellations. There has never been a better time to transport in — I would argue in my lifetime, because we have this historic bipartisan infrastructure law.”
Buttigieg said that although his job as secretary is a privilege and takes up “110%”, he admitted that he had to deal with flight cancellations that left thousands of people stranded at airports during holidays.
Buttigieg is being considered as a possible Democratic candidate for the seat currently held in retirement by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D–MI). Buttigieg gained prominence in the 2020 Democratic primaries. He was the former mayor for South Bend, Indiana and gained national attention.
Buttigieg is No. 14 in the presidential succession. Friday will mark the second anniversary of Buttigieg’s election to office.
