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Louis Staples
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Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has suspended his campaign for the democratic nomination for president in 2020.
The news came as something of a surprise to many, given Buttigieg’s strong start to the primary season in Iowa. But his campaign quickly faded as Democrats from the more diverse states of Nevada and South Carolina went to the polls.
Thank you for inviting me into your homes, sharing your stories, and putting your trust in me. We launched our camp… https://t.co/LERWi1XM43— Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1583114885
Speaking to supporters in his home town, Buttigieg issued a call for unity.
Today is a moment of truth ... the truth is that the path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy if not for our cause.
We must recognise that at this point in the race, the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to step aside and help bring our party and country together.
Our goal has always been to unify Americans to help defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values.
Butigieg’s campaign was historic because he was the first openly gay man to become a contender for the Democratic nomination. Throughout the contest he appeared publicly with his husband Chasten and discussed his sexuality on the debate stage frequently.
But LGBTQ+ people were by no means united behind Buttigieg’s candidacy.
Gay men in particular often struggled to reconcile the mayor’s sexuality with political positions they didn’t agree with. Some saw him as overly palatable and pedestrian.
Following the news that the first openly LGBTQ+ candidate to win a Democratic primary or caucus was dropping out, reactions were varied on queer Twitter.
Lots of LGBTQ+ people congratulated Buttigieg on his historic campaign.
🇬🇧 has never had an openly gay PM, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Home Secretary, Leader of the Opposition, Mayor o… https://t.co/dZvNYBFMJ1— Chris Bryant (@Chris Bryant) 1583136274
Pete Buttigieg kissed his husband on camera after the Presidential debates and won a primary. Whatever his flaws,… https://t.co/iJb0yRbV5L— Matthew Hodson (@Matthew Hodson) 1583127862
Mayor Pete showed a whole generation of LGBTQ Americans that anything is possible. #thankyoupete— Andy Cohen (@Andy Cohen) 1583116505
In a world where people still have to fight to live and love freely, having an openly gay man run for President and… https://t.co/gjzamKX9QE— Tom Knight (@Tom Knight) 1583141676
… even if they didn’t support him.
This Warren supporter is more emotional than I would have expected upon learning Pete is out. As someone who was bu… https://t.co/a6xseaFv3d— Bryce Tache (@Bryce Tache) 1583107322
Pete wasn't my candidate, but his run was historic. He blazed a trail others will follow. #thankyoupete https://t.co/vyfCAWrL8F— shauna (@shauna) 1583107108
I'm sending love to Pete supporters tonight. I know how much he meant to so many of my friends who saw some part of… https://t.co/BXh8NBlEOW— Ryan Nicotra🗽 (@Ryan Nicotra🗽) 1583105918
It often seemed like there wasn’t a lot of love for Mayor Pete online, particularly on "Gay Twitter". But the reaction to the conclusion of Buttigieg's 2020 campaign hints that his run meant a lot to many LGBTQ+ people, even if they didn't support him.
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