The openly gay millennial leader's announcement capped a week of heightened media attention — driven in part by his criticisms of a fellow Hoosier, Vice President Mike Pence.
And in an unintentional nod to his ties to Pence, Buttigieg made his announcement at the Studebaker Building 84 — a former South Bend auto plant undergoing renovations because of a partnership between Pence and Buttigieg.
"It is time to walk away from the politics of the past and toward something totally different," Buttigieg said.
"I recognize the audacity of doing this as a Midwestern millennial mayor, more than a little bold at age 37 to seek the highest office of the land," he said.
Buttigieg called running for office "an act of hope."
"Things will get better if we make them better," he said, pointing to the Studebaker Building.
"Let's get to work and let's make history," he said.
It was 35 degrees and raining in South Bend as supporters lined up Sunday to hear Buttigeig speak. Inside, some attendees wore hoods as water dripped down from the ceiling of the old building.
But spirits were high as mayor after mayor introduced Buttigieg, who if elected, would be the first person to jump from mayor to the White House.
Their point: Mayors get things done.
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley pointed to the very building audience members stood in as an example of Buttigieg's success. Buttigieg didn’t promise he would refill Studebaker with long-gone factory jobs, she said.
“Instead, he saw this piece of South Bend history as a symbol of its innovative future," Whaley said.
--more at IndyStar.com
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