South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg officially launched his presidential campaign on Sunday, entering the field of Democrats vying to take on President Donald Trump in 2020.
“My name is Pete Buttigieg. They call me Mayor Pete,” Buttigieg said to cheers. “I am a proud son of South Bend, Indiana. And I am running for President of the United States.” He said: “I recognize the audacity of doing this as a Midwestern millennial mayor. More than a little bold—at age 37—to seek the highest office in the land. … But we live in a moment that compels us each to act.”
The South Bend mayor is the fastest-rising Democratic candidate in the presidential field, a far cry from when he was receiving less than 1% of support in some polls months ago.
Over the last few weeks, Buttigieg has travelled the country between early nominating states and a string of fundraisers in Democratic strongholds like San Francisco, Chicago and New York.
Buttigieg will follow up his announcement with a trip to New York for a low-dollar fundraiser in Brooklyn on Monday, followed by a two-day trip to Iowa on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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