At a groundbreaking event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 2, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told the crowd what it’s been like touring the country as the face of President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law.
“I still have the heart of a mayor everywhere I go,” the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor-turned-presidential candidate-turned-cabinet member said.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 2.
Since Biden signed the $1.1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law in November 2021, Buttigieg has been on a nationwide tour to promote the 57,000 projects and counting being funded by it.
To date, he’s visited 49 states as Transportation Secretary – a trip to Maine scheduled in August will round out the list.
The Biden White House sees the infrastructure law as one of its major accomplishments – all the more so because when he was president, Donald Trump was unable to deliver a similar achievement.
“We’re going to be out there telling the story, helping to bring home how decisions that are made in Washington, when people do cooperate, like that bipartisan infrastructure law, turn into real benefits on the ground,” Buttigieg told Spectrum News on July 2 while standing along a major freeway project in Winston-Salem that’s receiving more than $350 million in funding from the law.
Does infrastructure resonate with voters? Biden and Harris hope so
Buttigieg speaks with Spectrum News at a freeway construction project in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 2. (Spectrum News)
Spectrum News spent two days with Buttigieg in early July in North Carolina as he kicked off a national summer construction tour.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hope voters see the tangible benefits of the infrastructure law and will think of those benefits when they vote in November.
A recent poll found Buttigieg is the most well-known member of Biden’s cabinet, in part thanks to his travels around the country promoting the construction projects and his 2020 presidential campaign.
But voters in North Carolina told Spectrum News they don’t necessarily connect the infrastructure funding with the Biden administration.
“I don’t know exactly what the scope of these monies are being used for these projects,” Anthony Hayes said.
“I think I know that tax dollars are spent on roads and infrastructure, but I don’t think I know specifically who’s paying for what or what’s federal, what’s state, what’s local,” Sandra Munoz told Spectrum News.
“I don’t think it would change my vote. I mean, there’s nothing in this world that would get me to not vote blue this November,” added Carolyn Bruce. “But it certainly helps to see things like infrastructure projects on the list of things.”
When asked why it’s not connecting with people, Buttigieg told Spectrum News how it’s covered plays a role.
“Well, frankly, when something is good news instead of a hot controversy, it commands less attention. But that’s exactly why I’m out here,” he said.
On July 1, Buttigieg joined North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper in Raleigh to break ground at a rail project linking the city with Richmond, Virginia. The infrastructure law is pumping over $1 billion into it.
“When Secretary Pete Buttigieg shows up in North Carolina, something good happens every time. Every time!” Cooper said at the event.
Buttigieg, a possible running mate pick, brushes off VP talk: ‘I have a day job that I’m passionate about’
Buttigieg and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper speak a groundbreaking ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina, on July 1. (Spectrum News)
The trip came just days after Biden’s disastrous debate performance that put concerns about his age in the spotlight.
In his interview with Spectrum News on July 2, Buttigieg defended Biden.
“You know, the president, the boss that I work for, is a focused and disciplined leader and you can tell from the results that we’ve gotten,” he said.
Less than three weeks later, Biden ended his candidacy and endorsed Harris to succeed him.
Now, both Buttigieg and Cooper are believed to be on Harris’ list of potential vice presidential running mates.
Spectrum News spoke again with Buttigieg, in his personal capacity, on July 23, after Biden dropped out of the race.
“I sincerely don’t know what the future will bring,” he said over Zoom. “I do know that I have a day job that I’m passionate about and will do everything I can, when I’m not doing that day job, to help make the case for Kamala Harris to be the next president.”
Buttigieg wouldn’t confirm whether the Harris campaign was vetting him, but he did say he’s confident she can pick up where Biden left off and also effectively communicate the administration’s accomplishments, like the infrastructure law.
“I think she represents continuity in terms of values, but change in terms of a new messenger who, I think, can speak in new ways to all generations of Americans,” he said.
In the meantime, Buttigieg will continue traveling in his official role to promote infrastructure projects.
Buttigieg tours a freeway construction project in Winton-Salem, North Carolina, on July 2
“This year, 2024, is about the dirt flying,” he said at the groundbreaking in Winston-Salem.
The Biden Administration – and Harris campaign – also hope 2024 will be about voters recognizing the size, scope, and benefits of the infrastructure law.