Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq A socially and environmentally just way to fight climate change MORE said Sunday he didn't set out to be "the gay president" when he launched his 2020 campaign, but added that he recognizes the significance of being the first major openly gay candidate for the White House.

"I didn’t set out to be the gay president, but certainly seeing what this means is really meaningful and really powerful," Buttigieg said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

His comments came after he emerged in dead heat with Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence MORE (I-Vt.) for first place in the Iowa Democratic caucuses, with both candidates declaring victory.

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"The reality is, prejudice is still out there and you’ve got to deal with it. But I would not have been able to get reelected the way I did so in in Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceControversial CDC guidelines were written by HHS officials, not scientists: report Former DeVos chief of staff joins anti-Trump group Scott Walker helping to prep Pence for debate against Harris: report MORE's Indiana if people were not able to look past that," Buttigieg said. "And every time somebody seeks to break barriers, pundits try to make it about electability."

NBC's Chuck Todd Charles (Chuck) David ToddSunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response Strzok: 'I continue to believe that Donald Trump is compromised by the Russians' GOP chair defends Trump messaging on masks: 'To say that he should have known then what we know now isn't really fair' MORE asked Buttigieg if he's looked beyond the question of electability and reflected on the momentous nature of his campaign and its success.

"There was a moment before we went out, when Chasten pulled me and just reminded me what this means for some kid peeking around the closet door wondering if this country has a place for him," Buttigieg said, referring to a conversation he had with his husband.

Buttigieg would become the first openly gay presidential candidate from either major party if he were to win the nomination.

The Democratic will face off in New Hampshire on Tuesday for the first-in-the-nation primary.