INDIANAPOLIS – Shortly after the former mayor of South Bend, Pete Buttigieg has announced that he is ending his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, the hashtag #thankyoupete has started to make its way nationally on Twitter.
Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who emerged from political obscurity made history as the first openly gay man to win delegates in the race for the nomination of a major party Politics.
His exit from the race comes a day after his disappointing fourth place in South Carolina and two days before Super Tuesday, when he had to continue to fight amid the domination of Senator Bernie Sanders and the resurgence of the old vice -President Joe Biden.
Buttigieg returns to South Bend, Indiana, where he plans to speak around 8:30 p.m., his campaign told IndyStar.
“Pete entered this race because our policy was not working,” a campaign assistant told IndyStar. “Our country has been torn apart; Washington has not been able to provide solutions to everyday Americans; the systemic problems demanded urgent action.”
President Donald Trump tweeted that Buttigieg’s decision – which comes before Super Tuesday – would be a boon for former vice president Joe Biden and the start of the end of Vermont senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential candidacy.
“Pete Buttigieg is OUT. All of his SuperTuesday votes will go to Sleepy Joe Biden. Super timing. This is the REAL start of the Dems taking Bernie out of the game – NO APPOINTMENTS, YET!”