Pete Buttigieg, the Democratic mayor of South Bend, Ind., who last month set up a presidential exploratory committee, excoriated Vice President Pence over several conservative social policies he says “embarrassed” the state when he was governor.

“I mean that he genuinely believes things that most of us would consider really far out,” Buttigieg, who would be a major party’s first openly gay candidate if he decides to run, said Thursday on CNN’s “New Day.”

“He seems to believe people like me just get up and decide to be gay.”

Indiana Mayor @PeteButtigieg says VP Pence “embarrassed” the state: “He seems to believe people like me just get up and decide to be gay. His worldview is one that is way out of step with the American mainstream.” https://t.co/FSj0j6Xvqq pic.twitter.com/zgzpwN9U4t — New Day (@NewDay) February 14, 2019

“His worldview is one that is way out of step with the American mainstream," he continued, "and we saw that in Indiana when he really embarrassed our state with policies that both Democrats and Republicans, in not just the political world but the business community, stepped up and said, ‘Hey, you’re making us look like a backwards place in just the moment we’re trying to advance.’ And unfortunately he now has a national stage for some of those fanatical social ideas.”

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Pence, who has called himself an “evangelical Catholic,” has staked out several staunchly conservative social views. He signed into state law the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which declared the government could not infringe on a person’s ability to practice their religion. However, critics slammed the legislation as giving businesses cover to discriminate against the LGBTQ community.

Noting the contrast his campaign would to Pence’s platform, Buttigieg said he recognizes his candidacy would be historic but hopes to be judged on his policies.

“I recognize that there’s a historic quality to this candidacy if and when we run,” he said. “But what I learned in the process in South Bend, when I got reelected with 80 percent of the vote, is most people just care if you’re going to do a good job or not. That’s true of mayors, I hope that’s true of presidents, and I really just want to be evaluated for the ideas I bring to the table.”

Should Buttigieg ultimately decide to run in 2020, he would be joining what is expected to be the most crowded primary field in modern history, with almost every candidate seeking to portray themselves as staunch opponents of the Trump administration.

Several high-profile Democrats have already announced their candidacies, with many more expected to come. Sens. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.) and Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharSocial media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (D-Minn.) — and more — have already announced their presidential bids, with heavyweights such as former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE and Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (I-Vt.) waiting in the wings.