New York: In a field packed with senators, governors and probably a former vice-president, there would seem to be little room for the mayor of a small US city to gain traction as the Democratic Party's potential 2020 presidential nominee.

South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg delivers his State of the City address in 2014. Credit:AP

But that's what's happening for Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, a city of 100,000 people in Indiana.

Buttigieg had such a low profile when he announced his presidential intentions in January that he had to clarify how to say his name. (It's pronounced boot-edge-edge or boot-a-judge.)

Since then, he's developed a devoted following and has steadily raised his profile. Last week he appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe, the go-to breakfast TV program for Democrats, and received rave reviews.