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BALITMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE

Baltimore bridge collapse puts spotlight on rising stars Moore, Buttigieg

BY ALEX GANGITANO AND JULIA MANCHESTER - 03/29/24 3:22 PM ET

Two of the Democratic Party’s rising stars have been thrust into the national spotlight this week after the bridge collapse in Baltimore.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, 45, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 42 — both of whom considered likely candidates for higher office in the future — face a key test with their handling of the aftermath of the disaster, which took six lives and will require a bridge reconstruction and port reopening.

“It is a bright reflection of the talent we have within the Democratic Party and their ability to lead in times of crisis,” said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist. “Sometimes it’s a crisis that forces leaders to rise to the top and answer the call. I think this unfortunate tragedy has done just that.”

The two young politicians have found themselves center stage nationally after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Interstate 695 in Baltimore on Tuesday. In addition to the lives lost, the tragedy has also opened up concerns about supply chain issues, commuting impacts and funding for rebuilding.

Buttigieg, for his part, is no stranger to the national spotlight, having run for president in 2020 when he was serving as the mayor of South Bend, Ind.

Moore, on the other hand, is newer to national politics. Before he was elected governor of Maryland in 2022, he worked as a nonprofit executive and author.

“This is just another layer of exposure for [Moore],” Seawright said. “I think he’s always demonstrated the ability to not only lead but lead in the light, and I think the world is seeing what a lot of people already know about Wes Moore.”

Buttigieg’s rise — from management consultant to Navy reservist in Afghanistan to Indiana mayor to Cabinet official — came after he outperformed many establishment Democrats in the primary in 2020 and instantly gained named recognition on the national level.

“He ran a very credible primary back in 2020,” said Jon Reinish, a Democratic strategist. “This is a popular guy who has always been looked at as a rising star, one to watch, and one to follow.”

“There is a reason why Biden chose him for this job,” he continued. “He is good at this.”

When Biden named Buttigieg as Transportation secretary, after the two ran against each other in the primary, it was considered an ideal opportunity for him to prove his chops amid questions about his future political prospects. The secretary has also been a surrogate for Biden’s reelection campaign and is known by politics-watchers for his ease with TV interviews and willingness to push back on Republican criticism against the administration.