Pete Buttigieg stated that America is ready for a gay president during an interview on Meet The Press aired on Sunday. He expressed confidence in this belief, saying, "I wouldn't have run for president in the first place if I didn't believe that." Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020 as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, became the first gay candidate to win a major party caucus in Iowa. He later endorsed Joe Biden and became the Transportation Secretary in Biden's Cabinet.
In her memoir, 107 Days, Kamala Harris mentioned considering Buttigieg as a running mate for the 2024 election but expressed concerns about the dynamics of a ticket featuring a Black woman and a gay man. During the interview, Buttigieg highlighted his electoral success in Indiana, where he won 80% of the vote in his re-election bid after publicly coming out. He noted that in his current travels across the country, he has encountered little objection to his sexuality from voters.
Buttigieg emphasized that voters are more concerned about their own lives than the identity of candidates. He remarked on the economic challenges facing Americans and the opportunity for change. While he has hinted at a potential run for president in 2028, he stated that he is currently focused on the upcoming midterm elections, which he believes are critical for Democrats. He mentioned that he has traveled to 35 states since leaving the Cabinet and aims to keep the focus on the present election cycle.