Buttigieg: ‘I didn’t set out to be the gay president’

Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg said Sunday he didn’t set out to be “the gay president” when he launched his 2020 campaign, but added that he recognizes the significance of being the first major openly gay  candidate for the White House. 

“I didn’t set out to be the gay president, but certainly seeing what this means is really meaningful and really powerful,” Buttigieg said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” 

His comments came after he emerged in dead heat with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for first place in the Iowa Democratic caucuses, with both candidates declaring victory. 

“The reality is, prejudice is still out there and you’ve got to deal with it. But I would not have been able to get reelected the way I did so in in Mike Pence’s Indiana if people were not able to look past that,” Buttigieg said. “And every time somebody seeks to break barriers, pundits try to make it about electability.”

NBC’s Chuck Todd asked Buttigieg if he’s looked beyond the question of electability and reflected on the momentous nature of his campaign and its success. 

“There was a moment before we went out, when Chasten pulled me and just reminded me what this means for some kid peeking around the closet door wondering if this country has a place for him,” Buttigieg said, referring to a conversation he had with his husband. 

Buttigieg would become the first openly gay presidential candidate from either major party if he were to win the nomination. 

The Democratic will face off in New Hampshire on Tuesday for the first-in-the-nation primary.