Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg took to the stage at the Fillmore Detroit to speak about racial justice, climate change, and education.

But on the eve of this week's Democratic debates in Detroit, the candidate also declared that winning the states in the Midwest is the key to winning the election.

“It's also here in the diverse — more diverse than advertised — industrial Midwest, that we know that the choice between kitchen table issues and racial justice is a false choice. We can and must be there for people of all backgrounds,” said Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

“If you promise not to judge Indiana by the vice president, we promise not to judge Michigan by the secretary of education,” he added, as the crowd erupted in laughter.

“Boot Edge Edge” shirt clad spectators from various Midwestern states like Indiana, Ohio and Michigan filled the downtown theater, each eager to hear the candidate speak of a different issue.

To Plymouth resident Susan Nicholas, economic policy was the most important. Not fully being convinced she will vote for Buttigieg, she attended the event in hope to hear and learn more about his campaign.

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"Recognition and understanding of how destructive economic inequality is to our democracy and what we can do about it,” she said when prompted about the most important issues on the eve of the debates.

Royal Oak resident Randall Wrisinger says Buttigieg does just that.

“I think Mayor Pete has every bit that it takes,” he said. "I think he is level headed, I think he is smart, I think he is progressive, although still conservative in some (areas), which I appreciate.”

Connor Berdy, a candidate for Warren City Council, was also attending the event. Although he said he wasn’t officially endorsing anyone, he expressed support for Buttigieg.

“I think he connects really well with people. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, he has the ability to convey the democratic message to people in a way that they understand it.” Berdy said.

“I think that's what America needs right now. Somebody who can breach the divide that this country suffering from now and who can help us understand to have compassion and empathy for one another and I think he is."

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Buttigieg is in fifth place in the Democratic standings, according to CNN, and his supporters Sunday urged him to stay true to himself during the debates on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct a quote from Mayor Pete Buttigieg to say the choice between kitchen table issues and racial issues is a false choice.