Buttigieg ducks VP speculation, plugs Biden EV investments in Kokomo visit

KOKOMO, Ind. (WISH) — Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on Friday would not say if he is making a play to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.

The former South Bend mayor was in Kokomo to tout the Biden Administration’s investments in electric vehicle manufacturing and infrastructure. Political insiders say he is on Harris’ short list for potential running mates. Buttigieg would not answer when News 8 asked if he had spoken with Harris on the topic.

Buttigieg did take a swipe at former President and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump without naming him. He said the United States has added nearly 800,000 such jobs under the Biden administration, while it lost manufacturing jobs under Trump.

Buttigieg is not considered a lock for Harris’ ticket. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear all are considered front-runners for the role. Harris will have to choose a running mate no later than Wednesday in order to make ballot-access deadlines in Ohio. She is expected to interview candidates over the weekend.

Those deadlines are why delegates to the Democratic National Convention already are casting ballots virtually. Harris was the only candidate to gather enough signatures to qualify for the convention after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison ...