But the real place for someone seen as a rising star at a party has proven to be more elusive.
Former South Bend, Indiana, mayoral and 2020 Democratic primary candidate Biden could enter the administration, causing weeks of informed speculation among top Democrats. And the number of Batigig jobs is huge.
And recently, according to Democrats familiar with the transition, Batigig’s name has also been dropped for two other cabinet positions: Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Commerce, positions that will probably put the former mayor at the center of the expected pressure for cleanup. Infrastructure Reform Bill.
And then there’s the talk of a high-profile ambassador, a position that will help a politician gain foreign policy experience, but will take him away from elected politics as long as he serves as ambassador.
“They want to find a place for them,” said a source familiar with the transition discussions. “It’s a puzzle, and they’re trying to figure out where it fits.”
Democrats believe the former mayor’s party has a bright future ahead of him, and that the experience of coming to a higher position in the federal government could help.
Batigig launched an unexpectedly resilient presidential primary campaign in 2019 and 2020, starting as an unknown relative in the state and narrowly winning the Iowa Caucus after becoming the first gay presidential candidate in American history to win primary party primary representatives. He ended his campaign shortly before Super Tuesday in March, and most of the party around the presidential election backed Biden.
Batigig’s future political aspirations are no secret, but the future of the former mayor in his home state of Indiana, a right-leaning place for more than two decades, has long been a stumbling block for those charting his political rise.
Biden spoke brilliantly about Batigig at a March event in Dallas, comparing him to his son Beau: “I know it doesn’t mean much to most people, but for me it’s the most compliment any man or woman can give.” Is. “
Batigig responded by campaigning hard for Biden, targeting events, fundraisers and being a top surrogate for the former vice president.
It did, however, take very little time after he officially ended the presidential campaign, however, for speculation of an increase in his future. As Batigig made headlines for Biden during the general election – which included a number of fundraisers – many in democratic circles saw the move as a clear signal that Bittig wanted an administrative position in the Biden administration.
People close to Buttigig tell CNN that the former mayor was interested in a post – and in particular a UN ambassador post – but is currently quiet about the musical chairs he is finding with top jobs in the Biden transition.
And like his historic historic presidential campaign, if Battigig was selected and confirmed for a cabinet post, he would be the first gay man to serve as cabinet secretary, confirmed by the Senate.
But, like any politician who wants to run for office again, Batigig is also thinking about his future career and the same people say he is looking forward to the job where he talked about the issue during his presidential campaign. It could also have an effect. .
The story has been updated to reflect Dennis M. Kadonoff’s nomination for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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