"I wanted you to be the first to know that I have decided to run for Chair of the Democratic National Committee," Pete Buttigieg said in an email. | Getty Indiana mayor announces for DNC chair

Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is running for chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Buttigieg made the announcement in an email to DNC members on Thursday.


"I wanted you to be the first to know that I have decided to run for Chair of the Democratic National Committee," Buttigieg said in the email.

Buttigieg joins a crowded field of candidates that includes Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley, South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Sally Boynton Brown and Labor Secretary Tom Perez.

Buttigieg, 34, is viewed as one of the party's rising stars. He's been described by President Barack Obama as one of Democrats' top prospects and was the subject of a New York Times op-ed titled "The First Gay President?"

His announcement comes roughly a week before the DNC's first candidate forum, scheduled for Jan. 13 in Phoenix. In his email to DNC members, the South Bend mayor said he would step down as mayor if elected to chair the national committee.

Buttigieg's prospects of winning higher office in Indiana are less than ideal — Republicans control the state legislature, the governor's mansion, and former Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh recently fell short in a prime opportunity to pick up the Senate seat left vacant by retiring GOP Sen. Dan Coats.

Lis Smith, a former top adviser to Martin O'Malley's presidential campaign, is advising Buttigieg on his bid. Martha McKenna and Jenn Pihlaja, two longtime Buttigieg political advisers and alums of EMILY's List, are involved as well as Dan Parker, a former Indiana Democratic Party chairman and close associate of Bayh.

Buttigieg said he decided to jump into the break over the New Years holiday break. On Thursday, he phoned his competitors and connected with all of them except for Buckley.

The South Bend mayor said he expects to appear at the upcoming candidate forums.

"Our intention is to be at every one of the regional forums and I'm hoping to make the other two and others as well," Buttigieg said.

Shortly after Buttigieg's announcement, state Democratic Party chairman John Zody released a statement urging fellow DNC members to back the South Bend mayor.

"With investments in things like community development, job creation, and infrastructure during his time as Mayor of South Bend, Pete Buttigieg has the capability of bringing a much-needed Midwest voice to the Democratic Party that will resonate across the country," said Zody. "Pete is a young and dynamic talent that we need at the top of our party, and I am happy to support a Hoosier for DNC Chair."

Ellison welcomed Buttigieg to the field of candidates in a statement.

“We need more young and energetic elected officials in our party," Ellison said. "Pete showed tremendous courage during his re-election campaign when he came out — no easy thing to do in a red-state like Indiana in the middle of an election. I look forward to discussing the future of our party with him in this race."

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hammons, who supports Ellison, warned Wednesday the prospect of a lasting divide within the party if Democrats can't come together in the chair race.

"I'd like to see a consensus candidate come out and frankly I'd like to see it be Ellison because I think that's the best step we could take to bridging the gap between the Hillary [Clinton] and Bernie [Sanders] folks," Hammons said.

