Pete Buttigieg has been more focused on running for President than serving as Mayor of South Bend for well over a year now, and it’s finally catching up to him. From the South Bend Tribune:

“Of the 120 days from Feb. 1 through May 31, Buttigieg was away or plans to be away from the South Bend area at least 55 days, or 45 percent of the calendar days.”

And the residents of South Bend have noticed conditions worsening under Buttigieg:

65% are dissatisfied with "the maintenance of city streets, sidewalks and infrastructure" (page 11)

51% don't agree that they have "an overall feeling of safety in [their] neighborhood” (page 17)

64% disagree that "the city is a safe community for everyone" (page 2)

70% don't agree "the city has vibrant, welcoming neighborhoods" (page 2)

71% don't agree "the city has a strong, inclusive economy" (page 2)

72% don't agree "all residents are empowered with education, mobility & technology" (page 2)

There has also been an uptick in violence in the city lately, in which local activist Isaac Hunt “points to poverty rates and people having a lack of opportunities or feeling unwanted that builds up to violence.”

All of these issues might be best summed up by 24-year-old South Bend resident Shawn White:

“Ain’t s--- changed. How is he gonna run the whole country if you can’t even get your city right first?”

Bottom line: Whether Buttigieg is running for DNC Chair or President, he’s always willing to abandon his duties as Mayor of South Bend to better serve his own political ambitions.

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