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Pete Buttigieg says his recently burgeoning campaign organization in Iowa positions him for a legitimate run at a victory in the Iowa caucuses in five months.

Buttigieg’s campaign, like many others, has had to play catch-up to some of the Democratic presidential candidates who built out their Iowa organization early in the cycle.

Elizabeth Warren, for example, built an impressive campaign organization ahead of the curve.

Buttigieg’s team has been trying to make up some of that ground in recent months. His Iowa organization employs more than 60 staff members, and the campaign is opening offices this week in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

That organization is expected to grow substantially in the coming weeks, the Buttigieg campaign said.

As Iowa caucus campaign veterans know well, organization is critical for success here. Buttigieg believes his Iowa organization’s growth will help keep him competitive for the run-up to the February caucuses.

"We’ve vaulted into the level we’re at, which we’re thrilled with," Buttigieg said in an interview during a recent campaign trip to Iowa. "What really makes the difference on how you get to the absolute top of the heap is the work that’s going on behind the scenes. ...