KOKOMO, Ind. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured the Stellantis Kokomo Engine Plant and parts of Ivy Tech Kokomo’s campus Friday, calling the visit a “full circle” moment as he celebrated the growth of manufacturing opportunities in the area since his time as former South Bend Mayor.
”I got into politics and public life in a fight over the future of that industry,” Secretary Buttigieg said. ”It is thrilling and I think a little bit poetic for me to have the privilege of being here now on behalf of President Biden and Vice President Harris.”
As he touted the accomplishments and growth of what he called the “Battery Belt,” speculation continued to mount about his chances of becoming Vice President Kamala’s Harris running mate this November. In addition to Buttigieg, the short list also includes swing state candidates Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. But according to political analysts, the “swing state” factor doesn’t mean Buttigieg should be counted out.
”I saw it out in Iowa in 2020 when I had the good fortune to be out there campaigning for him in the Iowa 2020 caucuses that we ended up winning,” Indiana DNC Delegate Shaw Friedman said. “The passion, the support, the enthusiasm that Pete brings to any endeavor is remarkable.”
”He kind of reminds me of Mitch Daniels, frankly” Republican analyst and Former Indiana State Representative Michael Murphy, said “Because just like [how] Mitch Daniels never wastes a single word, Pete Buttigieg never wastes a single word either—every word is thought out.”
Federal law prohibited Buttigieg from commenting on any Harris Campaign updates during Friday’s event (this is due to the Hatch Act, which prohibits certain executive branch officials from commenting on elections/campaigns while acting in their official capacity). When asked why a road safety roundtable discussion Buttigieg was supposed to attend was canceled, Buttigieg declined to comment on the scheduling conflict.
Vice President Harris is expected to meet with several candidates over the weekend, and make her final choice early next week.
