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Organization « Pete for
America Super Tuesday Updates
February 27, 2020
Pete for America Announces Super Tuesday Get-Out-The-Vote Effort Ahead of March 3rd
SOUTH BEND, IN - With less than a week until Super Tuesday, Pete for America announced a major get-out-the-vote (GOTV) effort in Super Tuesday states that includes a seven figure television and digital ad buy in 12 states, more than 700 hundred mobilization events to reach voters, surrogate events, an innovative digital door knocking program, digital ads, and Pete rallies across Super Tuesday states ahead of March 3rd.Quote from Samantha Steelman, Super Tuesday Organizing Director:
"We are building the campaign that will not only win the nomination but will defeat Donald Trump in November. We know Pete’s message is resonating across the country –– voters are tired of the politics of division and dysfunction. And Pete is the candidate offering bold solutions to our country’s greatest challenges in a way that actually unites the country. To propel Pete to the nomination, we’re running a first-of-its-kind GOTV program that combines digital organizing, paid media, and boots-on-the-ground organizing to reach millions of voters ahead of Super Tuesday.”
This week, we’re announcing:
- An innovative “Digital Door Knocking” program for GOTV
- A targeted Super Tuesday digital ad program with supporter generated content
- More than 20 surrogates traveling to Super Tuesday states
- More than 700 Get-Out-The-Vote events in Super Tuesday states
- Pete trips to North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma City, and California
- A seven-figure television and digital ad buy
Pete for America is running innovative digital efforts to mobilize voters ahead of GOTV. In the first-of-its-kind program, Pete for America volunteers created lists of all twitter followers of Pete for America’s account that live in Super Tuesday states. Now, volunteers are direct messaging each of these twitter followers to encourage them to move their online support to offline action. They’re asking them about their plan to vote and whether they can knock doors and get plugged in to on the ground work.
Super Tuesday Digital Ads:
Pete for America will launch a new targeted digital advertising program in Super Tuesday states featuring state-specific digital ads heading into the final week before the Super Tuesday. The ad buy includes dozens of variations of Facebook and YouTube spots, from user-generated content of voters across Super Tuesday states explaining why they're supporting Pete. The ads will be targeted to the individual state that the featured voters are from. Here’s some examples:
- Alabama
- California
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Vermont
Over the last two weeks, Pete has made five trips to Super Tuesday states with trips to California, Colorado, Utah, and Virginia. In the coming days, he’ll make several more trips to North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and California.
Surrogates:
Pete for America has over 20 surrogates that are traveling to at least 10 Super Tuesday states over the next week. Those surrogates include:
- U.S. Representative Anthony Brown, D-MD
- U.S. Representative Annie Kuster, D-NH
- U.S. Representative Don Beyer, D-VA
- U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice, D-NY
- Mayor Steve Adler, Austin, TX
- Mayor Nan Whaley, Dayton, OH
- Former Mayor Annise Parker, Houston, TX
- Former Obama staffer Reggie Love
- Miss Black America Ryann Richardson
For GOTV, we will have 30,000 volunteers hosting hundreds of voter contact events –– including “knock your block” events, block parties, phone banks, canvass launches, and more to mobilize voters to vote on March 3rd. And Pete for America is not just asking our volunteers to phone bank and knock on the doors of strangers. Rather, the campaign is having them reach out to their own personal community –– their friends, neighbors, and networks to make a personal case for why they need to vote for Pete. Research shows that the most effective way to mobilize voters is through personal connections.
This strategy has already been working. Pete has been bringing new voters into the process and our grassroots organizing team has been locking in that support. In Iowa and New Hampshire, Pete won voters who didn’t support Clinton or Sanders in 2016 and came in second with first time voters and caucusgoers in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. Turning these voters out on Super Tuesday will be critical to our success on March 3rd.
TV & digital ad buys
Pete for America announced a major television and digital ad buy in 12 Super Tuesday states. It's an over seven-figure buy for TV and digital. The ads will run in markets in Alabama, Arkansans, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia through Super Tuesday.
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Pete for America
February 21, 2020
Reporters,
A week ago, Pete for America announced a ramp up in Super Tuesday states –– with boots on the ground in every state, grassroots organizing efforts in every congressional district, and five Pete trips to Super Tuesday states over the next two weeks.
Since the announcement, our staff and volunteer leaders hit the ground RUNNING. They hosted over 100 debate watch parties on Wednesday, hosted more than 50 welcome events for new staff, and this weekend have hundreds of canvassing, phone banking, and organizing events scheduled already. And Super Tuesday states are starting to take notice. Below is earned media from Super Tuesday states since the ramp up announcement:
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Pete for America
February 16, 2020
Reporters,
On Super Tuesday, 14 states will vote and around a third of all the national delegates will be awarded. That’s why, for months, we’ve been intentionally building a strategy and a grassroots organization that can win the most delegates on Super Tuesday.
One key to that strategy is getting Pete everywhere. Pete will be barnstorming Super Tuesday states, including five trips in the next two weeks alone with more to come. We know when people see Pete, they like him. In Iowa and in New Hampshire, no candidate worked harder to talk to voters one on one. That work will continue into Super Tuesday.
Another key is building the organization to scale. Due to the size and the quick timeline of Super Tuesday, the only real way you can scale up your organization in an effective way is through massive grassroots organizing. We’ve known that since day one. For almost a year, Pete for America has had staff and Regional Directors dedicated to training, resourcing, and empowering thousands of supporters across Super Tuesday states. This has resulted in a sophisticated and scalable 25,000 person volunteer army that can organize to win delegates in Super Tuesday contests.
Below are updates about Pete for America’s work in Super Tuesday states:
Super Tuesday Ramp Up: This week, Pete for America announced a major ramp up in Super Tuesday organizing work. Below are details:
- Staffing up: Pete for America has staff in every single Super Tuesday state.
- Pete trips: Pete has 5 trips scheduled over the next two weeks to Super Tuesday states including California, Colorado, Utah, North Carolina, and Virginia.
- Grassroots organizing in all 165 congressional districts in Super Tuesday states: Pete For America has grassroots volunteer teams in EVERY congressional district in EVERY Super Tuesday state that have been organizing for months under guidance from staff organizers. Added staff on the ground will help further resource and train these grassroots volunteers. Having an organization in every Congressional district is critical to actually winning delegates on Super Tuesday.
- Digital ads: Pete for America released a new series of digital ads to run across seven states including Minnesota, Maine, North Carolina, and Virginia. Reaching out to voters from all backgrounds and political affiliation and building a broad coalition will not only be critical in securing the Democratic nomination in July, but in defeating Donald Trump in November. The six figure digital ad buy will run through Super Tuesday.
- Digital captains: Pete for America has 150+ digital captains, with presence across all Super Tuesday states, who are engaging supporters and bringing into its relational organizing program. The campaign’s Welcome and Local Teams will be finding and identifying new supporters online, welcoming them into the Pete community, and then connecting them to local resources both online and on the ground to get involved - to translate online support to offline action.
- Activating Students for Pete: Pete for America has over 80 Students for Pete chapters in Super Tuesday states. Chapter leaders have been trained on all aspects of the campaign, including digital organizing, field, and policy advocacy. Super Tuesday Chapters have been participating in early state GOTC/GOTV efforts. They continue to make thousands of calls each week.
Organizing this week Super Tuesday States: Volunteers will host more than 250 events in Super Tuesday states this next week. Here are some highlights.
- Across Super Tuesday states, volunteers are hosting more than 30 events in every single Super Tuesday state to welcome new staff hitting the ground on Monday and to build out organizing strategies to win the most delegates on Super Tuesday.
- Pete for America will be canvassing in all super Tuesday states this week.
- In Tennessee, Pete for America volunteers launched a statewide volunteer day of action to knock doors in all 95 counties. Democratic Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro, who endorsed Pete Buttigieg, kicked off the campaign’s Nashville canvass. The campaign also hosted volunteer-led door-knocking events in Chattanooga, Clarksville, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Lawrenceburg, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Nashville, and other locations throughout the state.
Super Tuesday Endorsements roll in: This week, Pete received significant endorsements in Super Tuesday States. Read more from these endorsers about why they are joining Pete Buttigieg.
- Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, the first female lieutenant governor elected in California, endorsed Pete Buttigieg and explained why on CNN and several local media outlets. She said, “As a mayor, a veteran, and someone who lives in a middle-class neighborhood, Pete brings the fresh perspective and new voice we need to defeat Donald Trump and rally Americans around bold solutions to move our country forward. As a former US Ambassador and national security expert, I know that Pete has what it takes to lead as Commander in Chief. I’m proud to vote for him on March 3rd and urge Californians to join me.” Lt. Gov. Kounalakis also served as the United States Ambassador to Hungary from 2010 to 2013.
- Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said about Buttigieg, “I believe in Pete’s vision for our country, and trust him to represent all Americans. This country needs a unifying leader capable of undoing the damage done over the last few years and returning us to a domestic agenda focused on the needs of our citizens. Mayors approach challenges differently than senators do because we are forced to be more practical than ideological. We have to work quickly, responsively, and across party lines to deliver results for our constituents, and can’t afford to get bogged down in philosophical squabbles. Not only will he energize the base of the Democratic Party, but we believe he will be able to attract a larger share of moderates, independents, and liberal Republican voters than any other candidate in the field. Pete Buttigieg has my vote and my enthusiastic endorsement.”
- Ted Wilson, the former Mayor of Salt Lake County, also backs Buttigieg, saying, “The Democratic Party is fortunate to have a number of very capable, qualified leaders running for president this year,” Ted Wilson said. “I believe Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the right candidate for the moment and the candidate best qualified to be our next commander in chief.”
- Maine State Rep. Lois Reckitt, a co-founder of the Human Rights Campaign Fund: When I came out to hear Pete speak in Portland, he immediately impressed me as someone very bright with a uniquely straightforward way of answering questions. I’ve dedicated my life to fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment and I know that Pete is a staunch ally to women and will bring our country together to secure greater gender equality and reproductive justice. I’m proud to support the president that will usher in a new era of belonging, so we can finally come together as a nation to advance a progressive agenda, and address our most urgent challenges.
Pete visits California: Pete held events in Turlock and Sacramento on Friday. More than 4,000 people attended Pete’s town hall in Sacramento. Pete for America recently announced a major staff up in California to help bolster a grassroots volunteer network of more than 3,000 people with supporters in every single congressional district. Here’s what people are saying about Pete’s trip.
- "Rinda Pope, 67, whose son Alexander was killed in Iraq in 2007, said she planned to vote for Buttigieg, a Navy veteran, because “he chose to defend our country just like my son did. We need someone like that,” she said."
- “When he first announced, we were like, ‘Pete who?’” said Mark Workman, an Air Force veteran and NASA employee from Mountain View, whose wife Jan carried a homemade Pete sign covered in glitter. “Now we’re totally on board.”
- "Dale Parkinson of Turlock, one of the attendees, wore a “Pete 2020” button for the occasion... “I appreciate that Pete Buttigieg has come to Turlock, and hopefully some of the other candidates will drop by as well,” he said."
- "Riverbank City Councilman Luis Uribe said he supports Buttigieg because of his stances on immigration, climate change and other issues. “I’m looking for a president who’s smarter than I am,” Uribe said. “We don’t have one at the moment.”
- Hundreds lined up early for the chance to hear the Democratic presidential frontrunner, who’s fresh off strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire. “I liked his personality, I liked that he includes people and he’s not attacking other candidates or other people running,” said one woman.
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Pete
for America
February 14, 2020
This week, the Buttigieg campaign announced it was doubling its organizing staff in Nevada and deploying staff to all Super Tuesday states to build on the robust efforts of volunteers organizing in every congressional district in these states.
Read more from these endorsers about why they are joining Pete Buttigieg.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, the first female lieutenant governor elected in California, endorsed Pete Buttigieg, saying, “As a mayor, a veteran, and someone who lives in a middle-class neighborhood, Pete brings the fresh perspective and new voice we need to defeat Donald Trump and rally Americans around bold solutions to move our country forward. As a former US Ambassador and national security expert, I know that Pete has what it takes to lead as Commander in Chief. I’m proud to vote for him on March 3rd and urge Californians to join me.” Lt. Gov. Kounalakis also served as the United States Ambassador to Hungary from 2010 to 2013.
State Representative JA Moore, of Charleston, South Carolina, is backing Buttigieg because of his ability to defeat Donald Trump in the general election. “Electability is top of mind for every South Carolina voter,” Moore said. “If anyone had doubts, Pete Buttigieg has proven he's the only viable candidate to build a cross racial, rural, urban and suburban coalition to win in November,” he said.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said about Buttigieg, “I believe in Pete’s vision for our country, and trust him to represent all Americans. This country needs a unifying leader capable of undoing the damage done over the last few years and returning us to a domestic agenda focused on the needs of our citizens. Mayors approach challenges differently than senators do because we are forced to be more practical than ideological. We have to work quickly, responsively, and across party lines to deliver results for our constituents, and can’t afford to get bogged down in philosophical squabbles. Not only will he energize the base of the Democratic Party, but we believe he will be able to attract a larger share of moderates, independents, and liberal Republican voters than any other candidate in the field. Pete Buttigieg has my vote and my enthusiastic endorsement.”
Ted Wilson, the former Mayor of Salt Lake County, also backs Buttigieg, saying, “The Democratic Party is fortunate to have a number of very capable, qualified leaders running for president this year,” Ted Wilson said. “I believe Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the right candidate for the moment and the candidate best qualified to be our next commander in chief.”
Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui, a Nevada state lawmaker, endorsed Buttigieg saying, “Pete’s agenda to better support and empower women and Latinos shows that he understands the needs of marginalized communities and the unique barriers we face.” Jaurgeui is a champion of gun control, and fled the shooting at an open air concert venue in Las Vegas in October of 2017. She said she believes that Buttigieg can build a coalition “of all backgrounds, geographies and political parties.”
Cindy Guerra, the former chairwoman of the Broward Republican Party, switched her party registration from Republican to Democrat in order to vote for Buttigieg in the primary: “Here’s the thing: I am not going to vote for Donald Trump — ever. I think Pete Buttigieg is far more qualified than Donald Trump. I think he’s far more intelligent. I think he is far more humane,” Guerra said. “We need a change.”
Maine State Rep. Lois Reckitt, a co-founder of the Human Rights Campaign Fund: When I came out to hear Pete speak in Portland, he immediately impressed me as someone very bright with a uniquely straightforward way of answering questions. I’ve dedicated my life to fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment and I know that Pete is a staunch ally to women and will bring our country together to secure greater gender equality and reproductive justice. I’m proud to support the president that will usher in a new era of belonging, so we can finally come together as a nation to advance a progressive agenda, and address our most urgent challenges.
Chairman Bryan Newland of the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan, endorsed Buttigieg in an op-ed for indianz.com. “As a Tribal Leader who was raised on the Rez in a rural area in the Midwest, I appreciate the work Mayor Pete has put into reaching out to Tribes and developing policy priorities that empower Tribal Nations to work within our own communities to make life better. From restoring tribal jurisdiction over our own lands, to restoring homelands, and protecting our sacred places and our environment, Mayor Pete's platform speaks to issues important to Tribal Nations and our citizens. I also know that Mayor Pete has worked directly with one of our fellow Anishnaabe Tribes – the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians – to build a positive government-to-government relationship in his own community in South Bend.”
State Senator Nickie Antonio of Ohio also endorsed Buttigieg, saying, “Ohioans know the value of a hard day’s work. Pete will make sure that there’s room at the table for everyone as we work on expanding health care for working families, making education more affordable and creating good jobs. As a mayor, Pete turned around an industrial city that had been called dying and restored a sense of optimism about the future. There are a lot of South Bend’s across Ohio and we need that type of sensible leadership in the White House. If ever there was a time that we needed a fresh perspective and some hope, it’s now. I am so proud to support Pete as our next president.” Antonio has served four terms in office, and has been a prominent champion for worker’s rights, equality for women and the LGBTQ+ community, healthcare for all, and combating the opioid crisis.
Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin decided to back Buttigieg because of the former Mayor’s ability to bring the country back together and defeat Donald Trump. “America deserves new leadership, and Mayor Pete has the pragmatic progressivism that will help us take back the White House,” said Hardin. “History was made last week when Iowa caucus-goers stood up to support a gay man for president. I often think about what I will tell my grandkids about this era. I will be proud to say I supported the first Black president. I will be proud to say I supported the first woman nominee. And I will be proud to say I supported our first LGBTQ President who brought the country back together to decisively end this disastrous Trump administration and restore decency to the White House.” Hardin is a graduate of Morehouse College, and intimately understands the impact that Pete’s $50 billion plan for HBCUs would have on the next generation of Black leaders.
City Auditor Megan Kilgore, also of Ohio, endorsed Buttigieg, saying, “I believe in intentional leadership, and Mayor Pete has consistently demonstrated the type of leadership that our nation needs — especially when it requires tough decisions,” said Kilgore. “His stances on gun control, reproductive rights, education, and economic policy are shared by a majority of the voters in Columbus. His intelligence, understanding of the complexities of our ever- evolving world, and sensible demeanor are characteristics that are necessary for a president to possess.”
Former Clark County Democratic Party Chair Chris Miller announced his endorsement of Buttigieg, saying, “Pete has shown that he understands the challenges that people of all backgrounds face, and is building a coalition inclusive of all Americans. For months here in Nevada, his team has been engaging voters in diverse communities across the state. His expertise on issues ranging from civil rights and climate change to workers’ rights and universal health care demonstrates that he is ready for the presidency on day one and will break down the barriers that hold too many Americans back. Pete’s fresh perspective is necessary: we need to revitalize America, much like Pete revitalized South Bend during his tenure as mayor, and turn the page on the old Washington playbook. Pete’s vision, discipline, and empathy will guide this country into a new era of belonging and I’m proud to endorse him.” Miller was the first openly gay Clark County Democratic Party Chair, and has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and served as the Chair of the LGBTQ Statewide Leadership Coalition for five years.
Evansville City Councilman Alex Burton, has endorsed Buttigieg, saying, “As a Black millennial and public servant, I believe the time is now to heal the divisions that plague our country. What I have found in Pete is a sense of belonging and hope that has been missing from our politics and policymakers. Pete’s vision to strengthen and grow the middle class, revitalize communities that were once redlined, make our nation safer, and to protect aging Americans, even in retirement, is exactly what we need in this country.” Burton is the second African-American City Council President in Evansville’s history.
February 14, 2020
Pete Buttigieg Continues Momentum with Key Endorsements
SOUTH BEND, IN — After strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, Pete Buttigieg’s message bringing Americans together to meet our greatest challenges and move our country forward continues to gain more support. This week, Pete received significant endorsements in every corner of the country from:- Lt. Gov Eleni Kounalakis, California
- State Rep. JA Moore, South Carolina
- Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, Utah
- Former Salt Lake County Mayor Ted Wilson, Utah
- Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui, Nevada
- Cindy Guerra, former chairwoman of the Broward Republican Party
- Maine State Rep. Lois Reckitt
- Chairman Bryan Newland of the Bay Mills Indian Community
- State Senator Nickie Antonio, Ohio
- Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin, Ohio
- City Auditor Megan Kilgore, Ohio
- Former Clark County Democratic Party Chair Chris Miller, Nevada
- Evansville City Councilman Alex Burton, 4th Ward, Indiana
- Bryan Newland, President of Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan
This week, the Buttigieg campaign announced it was doubling its organizing staff in Nevada and deploying staff to all Super Tuesday states to build on the robust efforts of volunteers organizing in every congressional district in these states.
Read more from these endorsers about why they are joining Pete Buttigieg.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, the first female lieutenant governor elected in California, endorsed Pete Buttigieg, saying, “As a mayor, a veteran, and someone who lives in a middle-class neighborhood, Pete brings the fresh perspective and new voice we need to defeat Donald Trump and rally Americans around bold solutions to move our country forward. As a former US Ambassador and national security expert, I know that Pete has what it takes to lead as Commander in Chief. I’m proud to vote for him on March 3rd and urge Californians to join me.” Lt. Gov. Kounalakis also served as the United States Ambassador to Hungary from 2010 to 2013.
State Representative JA Moore, of Charleston, South Carolina, is backing Buttigieg because of his ability to defeat Donald Trump in the general election. “Electability is top of mind for every South Carolina voter,” Moore said. “If anyone had doubts, Pete Buttigieg has proven he's the only viable candidate to build a cross racial, rural, urban and suburban coalition to win in November,” he said.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said about Buttigieg, “I believe in Pete’s vision for our country, and trust him to represent all Americans. This country needs a unifying leader capable of undoing the damage done over the last few years and returning us to a domestic agenda focused on the needs of our citizens. Mayors approach challenges differently than senators do because we are forced to be more practical than ideological. We have to work quickly, responsively, and across party lines to deliver results for our constituents, and can’t afford to get bogged down in philosophical squabbles. Not only will he energize the base of the Democratic Party, but we believe he will be able to attract a larger share of moderates, independents, and liberal Republican voters than any other candidate in the field. Pete Buttigieg has my vote and my enthusiastic endorsement.”
Ted Wilson, the former Mayor of Salt Lake County, also backs Buttigieg, saying, “The Democratic Party is fortunate to have a number of very capable, qualified leaders running for president this year,” Ted Wilson said. “I believe Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the right candidate for the moment and the candidate best qualified to be our next commander in chief.”
Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui, a Nevada state lawmaker, endorsed Buttigieg saying, “Pete’s agenda to better support and empower women and Latinos shows that he understands the needs of marginalized communities and the unique barriers we face.” Jaurgeui is a champion of gun control, and fled the shooting at an open air concert venue in Las Vegas in October of 2017. She said she believes that Buttigieg can build a coalition “of all backgrounds, geographies and political parties.”
Cindy Guerra, the former chairwoman of the Broward Republican Party, switched her party registration from Republican to Democrat in order to vote for Buttigieg in the primary: “Here’s the thing: I am not going to vote for Donald Trump — ever. I think Pete Buttigieg is far more qualified than Donald Trump. I think he’s far more intelligent. I think he is far more humane,” Guerra said. “We need a change.”
Maine State Rep. Lois Reckitt, a co-founder of the Human Rights Campaign Fund: When I came out to hear Pete speak in Portland, he immediately impressed me as someone very bright with a uniquely straightforward way of answering questions. I’ve dedicated my life to fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment and I know that Pete is a staunch ally to women and will bring our country together to secure greater gender equality and reproductive justice. I’m proud to support the president that will usher in a new era of belonging, so we can finally come together as a nation to advance a progressive agenda, and address our most urgent challenges.
Chairman Bryan Newland of the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan, endorsed Buttigieg in an op-ed for indianz.com. “As a Tribal Leader who was raised on the Rez in a rural area in the Midwest, I appreciate the work Mayor Pete has put into reaching out to Tribes and developing policy priorities that empower Tribal Nations to work within our own communities to make life better. From restoring tribal jurisdiction over our own lands, to restoring homelands, and protecting our sacred places and our environment, Mayor Pete's platform speaks to issues important to Tribal Nations and our citizens. I also know that Mayor Pete has worked directly with one of our fellow Anishnaabe Tribes – the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians – to build a positive government-to-government relationship in his own community in South Bend.”
State Senator Nickie Antonio of Ohio also endorsed Buttigieg, saying, “Ohioans know the value of a hard day’s work. Pete will make sure that there’s room at the table for everyone as we work on expanding health care for working families, making education more affordable and creating good jobs. As a mayor, Pete turned around an industrial city that had been called dying and restored a sense of optimism about the future. There are a lot of South Bend’s across Ohio and we need that type of sensible leadership in the White House. If ever there was a time that we needed a fresh perspective and some hope, it’s now. I am so proud to support Pete as our next president.” Antonio has served four terms in office, and has been a prominent champion for worker’s rights, equality for women and the LGBTQ+ community, healthcare for all, and combating the opioid crisis.
Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin decided to back Buttigieg because of the former Mayor’s ability to bring the country back together and defeat Donald Trump. “America deserves new leadership, and Mayor Pete has the pragmatic progressivism that will help us take back the White House,” said Hardin. “History was made last week when Iowa caucus-goers stood up to support a gay man for president. I often think about what I will tell my grandkids about this era. I will be proud to say I supported the first Black president. I will be proud to say I supported the first woman nominee. And I will be proud to say I supported our first LGBTQ President who brought the country back together to decisively end this disastrous Trump administration and restore decency to the White House.” Hardin is a graduate of Morehouse College, and intimately understands the impact that Pete’s $50 billion plan for HBCUs would have on the next generation of Black leaders.
City Auditor Megan Kilgore, also of Ohio, endorsed Buttigieg, saying, “I believe in intentional leadership, and Mayor Pete has consistently demonstrated the type of leadership that our nation needs — especially when it requires tough decisions,” said Kilgore. “His stances on gun control, reproductive rights, education, and economic policy are shared by a majority of the voters in Columbus. His intelligence, understanding of the complexities of our ever- evolving world, and sensible demeanor are characteristics that are necessary for a president to possess.”
Former Clark County Democratic Party Chair Chris Miller announced his endorsement of Buttigieg, saying, “Pete has shown that he understands the challenges that people of all backgrounds face, and is building a coalition inclusive of all Americans. For months here in Nevada, his team has been engaging voters in diverse communities across the state. His expertise on issues ranging from civil rights and climate change to workers’ rights and universal health care demonstrates that he is ready for the presidency on day one and will break down the barriers that hold too many Americans back. Pete’s fresh perspective is necessary: we need to revitalize America, much like Pete revitalized South Bend during his tenure as mayor, and turn the page on the old Washington playbook. Pete’s vision, discipline, and empathy will guide this country into a new era of belonging and I’m proud to endorse him.” Miller was the first openly gay Clark County Democratic Party Chair, and has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and served as the Chair of the LGBTQ Statewide Leadership Coalition for five years.
Evansville City Councilman Alex Burton, has endorsed Buttigieg, saying, “As a Black millennial and public servant, I believe the time is now to heal the divisions that plague our country. What I have found in Pete is a sense of belonging and hope that has been missing from our politics and policymakers. Pete’s vision to strengthen and grow the middle class, revitalize communities that were once redlined, make our nation safer, and to protect aging Americans, even in retirement, is exactly what we need in this country.” Burton is the second African-American City Council President in Evansville’s history.
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