Moments before submitting more than 8,300 signatures to the secretary of state's office to officially place fellow Hoosier Pete Buttigieg on the Democratic primary ballot, Mayor Joe Hogsett explained why he wanted to be the one to do it.

He said it's because day after day, Hoosiers watch as Washington, D.C., produces more drama than results. He said it's because unlike those working in the nation's capital, mayors do not embrace the division and partisan actions that have long become synonymous with national politics.

He said it's because Buttigieg, like many mayors across the country, is focused on rolling up his sleeves and doing the work.

"That's why I am proud to endorse Pete, a friend that I've worked alongside and who represents the best of what makes America work," he said.

Hogsett made the announcement Thursday outside of the office he once occupied, flanked by Pete for America campaign volunteers who wore "BOOT EDGE EDGE" shirts and held signs that read "freedom, security, democracy."

They erupted with applause at the endorsement, and celebrated with cheers and hugs as the box of signatures was turned over.

The addition of Buttigieg to the Indiana ballot comes on the heels of delayed Iowa caucus results indicating that the former South Bend mayor claimed victory by a razor-thin margin over Sen. Bernie Sanders.

"Just a few days ago our campaign went to Iowa and we walked away victorious," said Arielle Brandy, Indiana state director for the Pete for America campaign. "Five more days until New Hampshire, and we're looking forward to bringing that victory back home as well."

Indiana's primary will take place on May 5.

Thursday marks the first time Hogsett has publicly thrown his support behind Buttigieg.

Hogsett was notably absent from a September letter signed by 50 mayors endorsing Buttigieg, likely due to the fact that he was preparing to face-off against Republican State Sen. Jim Merritt for re-election.

Hogsett ended his remarks Thursday by recalling the opportunity to host the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2016.

He said while many of the headlines during that event were focused on the on-stage pairing of Lady Gaga and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he was impressed by what he saw of Buttigieg behind the scenes.

"I got to see first hand Pete's leadership as he brought all of us together, regardless of political party, with a focus on how we can make every neighborhood throughout our country a better place for all of America," he said. "Pete's ability to identify innovative solutions, work across party lines, to give hope to all those disaffected with the status quo is exactly what our state and our country need right now."

IndyStar reporter Holly V. Hays contributed to this story.

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at 317-444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.