My second time meeting Pete after introducing him at his final rally in Raleigh, NC on Feb 29, 2020 (photo credit: Francesca Maffei-Lazev)

RALEIGH — Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg suspended his historic run for the presidency on Sunday, March 1, 2020. Old news at this point, I know…but I’m writing this column for different reasons…

I am still completely heartbroken. I still tear up at the smallest of references to Pete, Chasten, Truman, Buddy, or my #TeamPete family.

I’m here now to explain why this is happening, in case you have a #TeamPete member in your family or friend circle.

My wife lovingly asked me this question Wednesday night.

“I’m worried about you, honey. Why are you still so upset? It’s not like he’s dead or anything.”

I hadn’t really thought about it until that point. Why WAS I so upset over a left-handed, gay, Episcopalian, midwestern former mayor running for President? I’ve been involved with politics since my freshman year at Wake Forest University when I volunteered my time on the Clinton/Gore campaign during their first run. I’ve worked on races from the county courthouse to the White House, and I’ve never felt this sense of pain and heartbreak before. I’m almost 50 years old, and my wife forced me to put this into perspective with one simple question…as she so often does.

This is about so much more than the presidential race. This is about so much more than a specific candidate. This is about an idea.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that “the mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.”

Pete came roaring onto the scene with his “Rules of the Road” and his idea that EVERYONE belongs in his world. As an educator, this truly moved me. Your race, gender identity, religion, social status doesn’t matter…and this sense of belonging moved me…motivated me…drove me to support Pete and his message at a level I’ve NEVER done before.

It also connected his supporters in the same way. I phone banked, text banked, and canvassed with people from all different backgrounds…extroverts, introverts, ambiverts…people that have never, ever volunteered with a campaign before. We were all together in the movement…we were all united under one cause…we were all #TeamPete.

Me, my wife, and some of the volunteers — with Pete and Chasten — at the #RaleighRally on March 1, 2020 (Photo credit: PFA advance lead John)

So, it is for THIS reason I’m still emotional. We worked SO hard for months to forward this idea to other people. The idea was finding traction. People were beginning to come around. People were beginning to believe. We had volunteers that got commit to votes within an hour of Pete’s suspension. #TeamPete never stopped working…WILL never stop working.

Even though Pete is no longer running for president, his message still lives. His heart still beats. He and Chasten continue to be one of the cutest couples in politics. The Rules of the Road also continue to be vitally important…even more so now…and should be EVERYONE’s goal in life. If, as a #TeamPete supporter, I can continue to exemplify the ROTR, and I can affect one person’s life in a positive manner every day, then Pete’s idea of a new kind of politics…a new kind of civility…lives on in all of us.

So, back to my wife’s question…why AM I still so upset?

Pete Buttigieg is more than a mayor to me. Pete Buttigieg is more than a presidential candidate to me.

Pete Buttigieg has become my hero.

My tears are not tears of sadness. My tears are not tears of sorrow. My tears are tears of thankfulness and appreciation for my amazing #AlwaysTeamPete family, for the Buttigiegs, and for the idea that everyone in the country can work together and heal our wounds in the face of vitriol and dishonor.

The Raleigh/Durham co-leads (Kathy and Josh), our SUPER Pete for America organizer Lily, and I signed the wall at Backyard BBQ Pit in Durham on Monday, March 2. Don’t worry — this type of thing is encouraged here. :D

I am not upset. I am not sad.

I am hopeful.

I belong. And you do, too.

Pete Buttigieg taught me that, and I’m a better man because of it. We’re a better country because of it. Please don’t forget it.