Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Bogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq MORE on Sunday said he isn't going to take "lectures on family values" from conservative media personality Rush Limbaugh, who recently made comments about the former South Bend, Ind., mayor's sexuality.

"I love my husband. I’m faithful to my husband. Onstage we usually just go for a hug," Buttigieg said on CNN's "State of the Union."

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"I love him very much. I'm not going to take lectures on family values from the likes of Rush Limbaugh," he added.

Buttigieg's response came after several of his Democratic primary opponents joined the widespread criticism of Limbaugh's comments questioning whether voters would elect a gay candidate.

On his syndicated radio program, Limbaugh called Buttigieg "a gay guy, 37 years old, loves kissing his husband on debate stages."

“I love my husband. I’m faithful to my husband,” @petebuttigieg responds to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh’s recent comments. “I’m not going to take lectures on family values from the likes of Rush Limbaugh.” #CNNSOTUhttps://t.co/bOje6TVl1s pic.twitter.com/icNbNMetlw — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) February 16, 2020

Buttigieg is the first openly gay candidate to mount a major presidential campaign. If elected, he would become the first openly gay president.

He is leading the field in delegates after the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.