Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay US presidential candidate aspirant from Democrat party, on Sunday ended his campaign to be the nominee in the November election against incumbent President Donald Trump, US media said. The 38-year-old had risen from being a virtual unknown to becoming a national political figure, but he scored poorly in the latest primary in South Carolina, coming fourth with just eight percent.
He was scheduled to address supporters later Sunday in South Bend, Indiana, where he was previously the mayor. Buttigieg took center stage when securing a narrow victory in the Iowa caucuses and earned national attention for his unflustered and professional approach in an often tough Democratic nomination race.
Taking to Twitter Buttigieg thanked his supporters as he said, “Thank you for inviting me into your homes, sharing your stories, and putting your trust in me.”
Thank you for inviting me into your homes, sharing your stories, and putting your trust in me. We launched our campaign because Americans are hungry for a new kind of politics that brings us together.
And together we’ll beat this president and build the era that must come next. pic.twitter.com/QDajvx1lpL
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) March 2, 2020
The results in South Carolina on Saturday confirmed polls suggesting he struggled to attract support among black voters, a key demographic. Joe Biden’s resounding victory in South Carolina has thrust him back into the race just days before voters go to the polls in 14 “Super Tuesday” states.
With 48 percent of the vote in South Carolina, the former vice president more than doubled the 20 percent won by national frontrunner Bernie Sanders, reviving Biden’s campaign and positioning him as the leftist senator’s main rival. Trump responded instantly on Twitter, claiming that the Democratic party leadership would act to halt Sanders winning.
“Pete Buttigieg is OUT. All of his SuperTuesday votes will go to Sleepy Joe Biden. Great timing. This is the REAL beginning of the Dems taking Bernie out of play,” Trump wrote.
Pete Buttigieg is OUT. All of his SuperTuesday votes will go to Sleepy Joe Biden. Great timing. This is the REAL beginning of the Dems taking Bernie out of play – NO NOMINATION, AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2020