On behalf of all the New Jersey supporters and volunteers for Pete Buttigieg, we would like to congratulate him on his being chosen for Secretary of Transportation by President-Elect Joe Biden.

Secretary-designate Buttigieg has not only transformed and modernized his hometown of South Bend, but he has also brought transportation modernization to the forefront of transportation policy discussions. In fact, Buttigieg was one of only two candidates in 2020 to receive a passing grade from the transportation advocacy group–Transportation for America– based on his plan to upgrade and fix our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

And perhaps no state is more directly affected by our failing roadways and transportation system than New Jersey. In fact, New Jersey has the second highest number of ‘mega-commuters’ in the country. Buttigieg’s plan will support clean energy vehicles, modernize our public transit system, and hold states accountable for allowing their infrastructures to decline, in addition to creating countless jobs in New Jersey and across our country.

“Not only is this a historic day for our country, this is a historic day for traditionally marginalized communities. This is especially important since so many of these communities rely heavily on public transportation. Choosing the first openly LGBTQ+ Presidential Cabinet member appointment in US history, President-Elect Biden is sending a strong message of support our community has so desperately lacked these last four years,” says David Grant, Lead for Pete for America NJ.

“Our residents have suffered under a lack of action during the last four years, the promised infrastructure bill never arrived. Now, there is hope at the end of the Gateway Tunnel. Hasbrouck Heights commuters, and thousands across Northern New Jersey, finally have a champion for rail and infrastructure improvements that will bring jobs and a better quality of life to New Jersey,” said Hasbrouck Heights Councilman Chris Hillmann.

“I am so thrilled. Seeing first hand the progress he made as Mayor of South Bend, getting to know him on his campaign for Chairman of the DNC, and having worked closely with Mayors and other local officials, I have a deep appreciation for his commitment to getting things done. He is results oriented and will bring a get it done attitude to Washington,” commented Rob Field, Senior Aide to Governor Murphy.

“Secretary-Designate Buttigieg is brilliant, yet humble, and always on a quest to learn more to better society for those most in need,” said attorney Raj Parikh. “With his historic nomination, Secretary Mayor Pete (as he has been called on social media) is a wonderful choice to not only move the Gateway project forward for our region, but other forward-looking transportation and infrastructure initiatives nationwide.

While we know that fixing our infrastructure is a monumental task, we can think of no one more passionate, innovative, and collaborative than Buttigieg and we are confident in his ability to get things done. Once again, congratulations to Secretary-designate Pete Buttigieg. We look forward to working with you to make our state, and our country, a better place to live and work.

Signed,

Chris Hillmann
Hasbrouck Heights Councilman

Jennifer Holdsworth
Campaign Manager, Pete for DNC- Senior Advisor

David Grant
Pete for American NJ Lead

Robert Field
Senior Aide to Governor Murphy

Raj Parikh, Esq.
Pete for America Legal Advisor