Buttigieg Delivers Keynote at Indiana University on Transportation and Equity

Bloomington, IN - Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke at Indiana University’s IU Auditorium on Thursday evening, outlining lessons from his tenure, infrastructure priorities and equity in transportation. The sold-out “Speaking of Excellence” lecture drew students and community members interested in policy and public service.

Buttigieg, a leading 2028 Democratic contender and South Bend native, used the forum to highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s investments in infrastructure and its impact on historically marginalized communities. The event underscored the ongoing debate over sustainable development and civil rights in public policy at a time when state and federal projects face budget scrutiny.

Details of the Address

  • “Equity must be at the heart of every project,” Buttigieg told attendees, citing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s funding for road safety, public transit and airport modernization.
  • He reflected on overseeing 70,000 infrastructure projects nationwide between 2021 and 2025, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and community engagement.
  • Buttigieg also discussed challenges in pandemic-era supply chains, noting that improved logistics will bolster economic resilience and job creation.

Event Context The IU Union Board and the LGBTQ+ Culture Center co-hosted the lecture series, which regularly features nationally recognized figures. Past speakers include Tony Award-winner Jesse Tyler Ferguson and activist Hunter Schafer. Today’s sold-out audience reflected strong student interest in combining policy with social justice.

Audience Engagement Attendees had the opportunity for a post-lecture Q&A. Questions focused on climate change, rural transit access and the role of technology in reducing congestion. Buttigieg encouraged students to pursue public service careers, stressing collaboration across political divides.

Looking Ahead Buttigieg’s remarks come as he travels nationally ahead of early Democratic primary debates for 2028. His return to Bloomington, where he began his political career as South Bend mayor, underscores his Midwest roots and evolving national profile.