Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield MORE said on Monday that he is “very conscious and very intent” about fixing the lack of diversity at some of his campaign events.

"I could talk 'til I'm blue in the face how about how important it is that our campaign, our base of supporters and future administration reflect this country," the South Bend, Ind., mayor said at a New York fundraiser when questioned about a lack of diversity among his supporters, CNN reported.

He added that he needs the help of supporters to reach out to “anybody that could benefit from a more inclusive and more hopeful politics. And that is something that has no color.”

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"We are very conscious and very intent on building the most diverse possible base of supporters at every level, from the committee to the people who fill the room that help lift us up,” Buttigieg added. “And we need the feedback that comes from that, we need the support that comes from that. And that's the kind of campaign we want to build."

The lack of diversity among the crowd at his official hometown campaign launch on Sunday was noticed by David Axelrod David AxelrodThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates GOP hunts for leverage in revived COVID-19 talks Pelosi says there shouldn't be any debates between Biden and Trump MORE, former President Obama’s adviser.

"Watching the @PeteButtigieg announcement from South Bend. Crowd seems very large, very impressive but also very white-an obstacle he will have to overcome,” Axelrod tweeted. "And by obstacle I mean deficiency. He will need to build out his coalition in a very diverse party."

And by obstacle I mean deficiency. He will need to build out his coalition in a very diverse party. — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) April 14, 2019

CNN noted that Buttigieg has struggled to garner African-American support at his campaign events. The majority of his South Carolina audiences in March, for example, were largely white, despite the state’s overwhelmingly black Democratic electorate.

Buttigieg, the only openly gay candidate for the 2020 Democratic primary, has surged ahead in the crowded field.

He came in third in a new Emerson poll, following behind Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle MORE.

His rise as a presidential candidate, however, has put a spotlight on his years as the mayor of Indiana’s fourth largest city, including his demotion of an African-American police chief.