I first met Mayor Pete Buttigieg about nine years ago through a new group called NewDEAL Leaders. It means, Developing Exceptional American Leaders. The group is comprised of state legislators, mayors, county commissioners and other local officials. Generally, it is a bunch of pro-growth, progressive leaders who seek to find pragmatic solutions to the important issues facing our communities, state and nation. Pete was in the first class and I was in the second class of leaders selected. NewDEAL was born out of endless gridlock we see in Washington and with the full understanding that our group can be the catalyst for on-the-ground positive change.

When Pete and I first met in Washington, D.C., it was clear there was something special about him. Not that he was ever that person — who wanted to prove he was the smartest in the room — you just knew it. Our group is an elite group and from day one Pete rose to the top.

Contrary to the bright lights and excitement of a presidential campaign, Pete is a quiet and humble servant leader. He always spoke openly about the challenges of being the mayor of his city, how to bring people who may have different ways of getting to the same conclusion together and leading South Bend with a shared vision so residents could feel hopeful about the future.

Pete never wore his military service on his sleeve nor mentioned it as some sort of talking point. He uses every one of his experiences to be a better public servant for the grander goal of making our communities a better place.

My favorite interaction with Pete was at a dinner in Washington, D.C. about five years ago with my friends Massachusetts State Senator Eric Lesser, Connecticut State Representative Caroline Simmons and some of the staff who knew Pete and Eric from the Obama White House. Every single person at the table — about twelve of us — was a Harvard grad, except me. Talk about nerve wracking!

Pete and I sat across from each other and talked about various issues. He makes a conversation very easy to have together. It was right there I saw one-on-one how he attacked an issue and how he thought through very complex problems in ways that I’ve never contemplated before. He has a unique ability of analyzing problems from four of five different angles in thought provoking and fascinating ways. It is no surprise he commands the presidential debate stage time after time after time. His mind is always churning. But, let me repeat my earlier point in that he doesn’t speak with any sense of ego or flowery statements. He genuinely wants to help individuals, families, veterans and those who may have given up. Pete won’t give up!

When Pete announced his exploratory committee in early 2019, I reached out to his small staff at the time and said, “I’m with Pete.” The reason I was so confident in someone most of the country had never heard of before is because Pete is authentic and that’s what America craves right now. When people got to know the Pete Buttigieg I know, they would rally around him. What I expressed to my sphere of influence is what you see on television is what he’s like in person and vice versa. He is genuine, cares and can heal a fractured nation.

Pete is man who has courage and guts. He is a patriot who has worn the uniform of our nation bravely and selflessly. I love the fact he is comfortable talking about his faith, that he has married the man he loves, that he has the audacity to reach for the highest office in the land.

What is clear is from day one on the campaign trail, Pete has never changed who he is, what he stands for or backed away from a tough fight.

It’s an understatement to say, “this is the most important election of our lives” because we all know that’s the case. Pete has inspired so many around the country unlike what I’ve seen since 2008. As I’ve probably stated publicly and privately thousands of times now, I truly believe he is the only candidate who can beat Donald Trump in November.

Not only can Pete beat him, but Pete will be a president for all our country not just his political base. He will move our country in a new direction, not backwards. He will spend every minute thinking about how to make life better for every-day Americans and not just the elite. He will be a president and commander-in-chief we are be proud of. Every. Single. Day.

Please consider joining Pete’s campaign at PeteForAmerica.com. If we pull together, we can #WinTheEra with a guy from South Bend, Indiana who had the audacity to dream big and serve this nation that we all love so much.