Biden reportedly picks Pete Buttigieg to head Department of Transportation

Joe Biden has reportedly tapped Pete Buttigieg to act as his Secretary of Transportation, according to multiple outlets.

Several news outlets report that Biden has chosen Buttigieg, 38, to serve as the head of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), though Biden has yet to make the formal announcement.

The Secretary of Transportation position is currently held by Elaine Chao.

Other Secretary of Transportation candidates considered by the Biden team include Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo.

Buttigieg formerly served as Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, before making a brief run for the Democratic nomination for President. He served as an intelligence officer in the Navy prior to entering public service.

If confirmed by the Senate, Buttigieg would be the first openly gay Cabinet secretary.

The American Trucking Associations CEO Chris Spear issued a statement congratulating Buttigieg on the expected nomination:

“Transportation is an issue that touches all Americans – urban, rural, coastal and in the heartland of our nation. Having served as a mayor, Pete Buttigieg has had an up close and personal look at how our infrastructure problems are impacting Americans, and how important it is to solve them. On behalf of the trucking and freight transportation industry, I’d like to congratulate Pete Buttigieg on his nomination to lead the Department of Transportation.  We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and working with him to begin the important work of rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure.“