Former Southbend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg is reportedly under heavy consideration to serve as the Secretary of Transportation in a Joe Biden administration and is considered the emerging front-runner over several other candidates for the job.
CNN, citing “multiple sources familiar with the transition deliberations,” reports that while discussions remain “ongoing and fluid,” Buttigieg has slowly been gaining an edge over others in consideration for the position, including candidates who have served in more high-profile positions, such as Governor Gina Raimondo (D) of Rhode Island.
Buttigieg, whose long-shot Democratic presidential bid gained widespread attention following a 2019 CNN town hall, appears to have been banking on an administration position since he decided to endorse Biden the day before Super Tuesday in 2020. As a Democrat, feasible options for higher office within his own state of Indiana are limited.
But other Democrats have also been considered for the Transportation Secretary position as well, including former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who co-chaired Team Biden’s vice presidential selection committee earlier this year.
The Guardian reports that progressives in Chicago have voiced concern over Biden tapping Emmanuel for the position. Earlier this week, The Associated Press reported, citing “a person familiar with the matter,” that the former Chicago mayor has seen his name fall lower on the list of potential nominees because of outrage from the Left flank.
Garcetti, the current face of L.A.’s COVID-19 policies, has his own problems.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles restaurant owner Angela Marsden recorded a viral video in which she condemned Garcetti for allowing a movie company to operate meal tents mere feet from her closed outdoor dining patio, which wasn’t allowed to operate under county-passed rules.
“Look at this,” said Marsden, pointing to her patio. “Tell me that this is dangerous, but right next to me is a slap in my face, that’s safe. This is safe? Fifty feet away?”
Although the L.A. County Board of Supervisors was responsible for enacting the outdoor dining ban, Garcetti issued a tone deaf response that critics slammed as completely missing the point of the video.
“My heart goes out to Ms. Marsden and the workers at the Pineapple Hill Saloon who have to comply with state and county public health restrictions that close outdoor dining,” Garcetti told The New York Times. “No one likes these restrictions, but I do support them as our hospital I.C.U. beds fill to capacity and cases have increased by 500%. We must stop this virus before it kills thousands of more Angelenos.”
In late October, Garcetti was mocked for a transportation-themed policy that he suggested was a form of economic relief amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: Parking ticket discounts.
“We’re delivering assistance to Angelenos facing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Monday, with our new Early Pay LA program, [Los Angeles Department of Transportation] will offer a $20 discount on parking citations paid within 48 hours,” announced Garcetti.
And earlier this year, Garcetti encouraged residents to “use a fan” during a record-breaking heat wave in August, so as to avoid straining the state’s power grid.