Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the Democratic National Committee chairman race during his nominating speech. | AP Photo Buttigieg drops out of DNC chair race

ATLANTA — South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the Democratic National Committee chairman race during his nominating speech on Saturday, telling voters he realized he did not have the needed support.

Buttigieg, seen as a rising star in the party, leaves Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison and former Labor Secretary Tom Perez as the leading contenders.


"We saw the potential of doing well on multiple ballots but we can do the math," he said. "It is time for this process to move toward a solution that we can all get on board with."

By stepping aside before the vote is tallied, Buttigieg avoids a potentially low vote total.