Late last month, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced the launch of an exploratory committee to run for President.
His appearance on national media outlets has cast a spotlight both on him and the city of South Bend. WBOI’s Barb Anguiano sat down with Elizabeth Bennion, a political science professor at Indiana University’s South Bend Campus to discuss Buttigieg’s resume and his history in Indiana politics.
Bennion believes Buttigieg executive experience should not be ignored, even though it was as the executive of a relatively small city. As an executive, Buttigieg knows how to build a good team and solve problems.
While Buttigieg ran for DNC Chair in 2017 and treasurer of the State of Indiana in 2010, but was not elected for either position. In 2018, the 37-year-old mayor made headlines after the website Politico reported Buttigieg had met with Former President Barack Obama. The meeting was verified, while the contents of the meeting were never made clear.
Buttigieg came out as gay in 2015 in an essayin his local newspaper, The South Bend Tribune.
On Sunday, Buttigieg will host a sold-out book signing event for his newly-published memoir, Shortest Way Home.