Who exactly is Pete Buttigieg? The name may not sound familiar, but the thirty-four-year-old politician has gradually begun to emerge onto the national scene through his work with the Democratic Party. A graduate of Harvard–and later, Oxford, the comparatively young mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has proven time and time again that he’s more than ready to take center stage in American politics. From being mentioned by President Barack Obama as a possible “contender” for political leadership to being called “one of the most talented young leaders in the Democratic Party” by David Axelrod, President Obama’s former chief strategist, Pete Buttigieg is a name that’s taking the stage in modern American politics–and is also one that will also be appearing in the race for the top position at the Democratic National Committee.
In following with America’s national and historic theme as the underdog “rising up,” so too has Pete Buttigieg in the realm of politics. The only time he ever attempted to attain a statewide position (Indiana state treasurer) was a political failure. Yet, it’s become apparent that the young Democrat may just get his shot in the upcoming years. Buttigieg came out as gay in a public message that has not only skyrocketed him to fame as the first openly gay executive in the state, but also a champion for the broader community.
The solutions our party needs won’t begin with Washington, they’ll come from communities across our country. https://t.co/QscCVnmMVV
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 5, 2017
He states, “I’m looking at where I fit into the conversation…what I care about though is our party moves forward in a way that’s going to work, that makes sense on the ground in the world I live in and is not going to devolve into a factional struggle.” Such statements like these are only another example of Buttigieg’s widespread popularity–his promises of unification and equal rights are messages that appeal to many.
Born in South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg was involved with politics at the local level from a young age. He attended St. Joseph High School for all four years, graduating as senior class president and valedictorian. He then proceeded to study History and Literature at Harvard College; his academic achievements there later earned him a Rhodes Scholarship–one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world–to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University. After the end of his academic career, he worked in a variety of positions: an Associate Consultant at McKinsey, the Conference Director at The Cohen Group, and a Fellow at Truman National Security Group. Additionally, he served in the Navy Reserve as a Lieutenant during the war in Afghanistan, an experience that has only enabled him to care more passionately for the human race. Buttigieg’s time spent in the U.S. Navy profoundly impacted him; not only was his belief in the “core purpose of any city administration: to make the basics of life easier for residents” reaffirmed, so was his definition of public service: “enabling people to live their lives, whatever it means to them.”
So what’s Buttigieg doing now? Currently serving his second term as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, he is advocating for the resolution of economic poverty, tackling the problem of abandoned housing in the neighborhoods, and improving the situation of city services by adding new technology such as creating a 311 service line. In terms of Buttigieg’s political career and the bid for chairman, he is the sixth person to formally declare his candidacy. However, his determination to promote himself as a firm believer in local politics taking the national arena has singled him out as a profile on the rise. Despite the fact that Buttigieg has never held a statewide or national position before, this hasn’t stopped him from aiming high–and perhaps this ambition may be what guarantees him a key spot in the Democratic Party.
The unique perspective Pete Buttigieg possesses just from being a Democrat coming from the Rust Belt–which geographically, has been extremely red when it comes to politics–is one that hasn’t failed to garner attention from the general populace. He has explicitly declared his beliefs when it comes to his party: “I am a Democrat because I believe in protecting freedom, fairness, families, and the future.”
In the wake of the 2016 presidential election whose results were mainly attributed to the votes of the Rust Belt, the South Bend mayor has proven to be crucial as a Midwest voice in the Democratic Party. Although the competition for D.N.C chairman remains fierce and a conclusion is yet to be seen, one thing is for sure: Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, is a personality we should be looking out for.
