A South Bender Makes the Case for Mayor, scratch that, President Pete

Photo: Pete for America

When my family outgrew our home on the east side of South Bend, we could’ve relocated anywhere we wanted. We chose to remain in South Bend. Why South Bend?

In 2011, Newsweek called South Bend a dying city. That same year, South Bend elected a new, young and for the most part, unknown Mayor named Pete Buttigieg. During his tenure as Mayor, I saw South Bend morph from a dying city to a thriving city. An old rustbelt, factory town that was in need of change.

At Mayor Pete’s Presidential Campaign Announcement, April 14th, 2019

We are a gay, Jewish couple raising our son, who is on the low-functioning end of the autism spectrum. We come from the state that brought you Mike Pence. Yet, when it was time to move, there was no doubt that we’d stay in South Bend. It is home. It is where we want to raise our son. It is an inclusive, welcoming community. Not only is South Bend back. South Bend is still on the rise. All of this happened under the leadership of Pete Buttigieg, the man we South Benders know as “Mayor Pete”.

Mayor Pete and my son at Pete’s Trangender Awarness Month Mayoral Proclamation

Losing Mayor Pete to the national political stage is bittersweet, but South Bend’s loss is America’s gain. Pete is the anti-Trump. I personally saw Pete stand up for minorities, reproductive justice, and other progressive causes during his tenure as mayor of South Bend. Pete Buttigieg is not a “business as usual” politician. He is a thoughtful and compassionate leader. He has the skill, temperament, judgement, and integrity that we need back in the White House.

At Mayor Pete’s Presidential Campaign Announcement, April 14th, 2019

Since Pete announced his run for President, I have seen South Bend all over the national news. It isn’t the South Bend I know. We purchased a new home on South Bend’s northwest side, investing in a city that invested in us.

There are a lot of Democratic candidates vying for the presidential nomination. I believe that we are in a time of crisis. The world is literally and figuratively on fire. I will vote for whoever wins the nomination, but I truly believe that Pete Buttigieg is the person for the job. I believe that Pete Buttigieg is the leader that Americans need and the leader that Americans deserve.

On Friday, January 31st, we saw the Senate Republicans vote against witness testimony, guaranteeing an unfair impeachment trial. Temperatures are rising. People have to work multiple jobs and go without much needed healthcare. We cannot afford to wait for Pete Buttigieg’s leadership. We need to change course now. The world can’t wait. Our children can’t wait. We need Pete now. I hope that as caucuses and primaries begin, you’ll take this South Bender’s word that Pete Buttigieg should be the next President of the United States of America.