Pete

Um, probably because everybody correctly figured out that a midterm election in a state like Indiana for a down ballot, like obscure race, like running for state treasurer, like you weren't gonna, you're probably gonna get crushed. And I ran and I got crushed, but I learned everything there was to learn about kind of campaigns.

I went to all these chicken dinners in 90 counties in Indiana and shook hands and introduced myself. And, um, tried to explain why I thought that there needed to be a different approach in that office. And then as soon as that ended and I got beat and I was figuring out what to do next, was I going to go back to the firm or get another job?

I went to all these chicken dinners in 90 counties in Indiana and shook hands and introduced myself. And, um, tried to explain why I thought that there needed to be a different approach in that office. And then as soon as that ended and I got beat and I was figuring out what to do next, was I going to go back to the firm or get another job?

I went to all these chicken dinners in 90 counties in Indiana and shook hands and introduced myself. And, um, tried to explain why I thought that there needed to be a different approach in that office. And then as soon as that ended and I got beat and I was figuring out what to do next, was I going to go back to the firm or get another job?

That was when the longest serving mayor in the history of my city said he wasn't going to run again. And all those conversations that I've been having over beers, like buddies from high school, after we'd grown up and mostly moved out, because we all got the message like success meant moving out. We're always saying like, what's going on back in South Bend? Like, why can't they like grow more?

That was when the longest serving mayor in the history of my city said he wasn't going to run again. And all those conversations that I've been having over beers, like buddies from high school, after we'd grown up and mostly moved out, because we all got the message like success meant moving out. We're always saying like, what's going on back in South Bend? Like, why can't they like grow more?

That was when the longest serving mayor in the history of my city said he wasn't going to run again. And all those conversations that I've been having over beers, like buddies from high school, after we'd grown up and mostly moved out, because we all got the message like success meant moving out. We're always saying like, what's going on back in South Bend? Like, why can't they like grow more?

Why can't we like, why don't young people believe in that place? And started to feel like we could maybe do something about that. And so we had this crazy idea to have me run for mayor and just have a totally different message than any of the other people, Democrats mostly, who were running. And then we won. So that was kind of my path.

Why can't we like, why don't young people believe in that place? And started to feel like we could maybe do something about that. And so we had this crazy idea to have me run for mayor and just have a totally different message than any of the other people, Democrats mostly, who were running. And then we won. So that was kind of my path.

Why can't we like, why don't young people believe in that place? And started to feel like we could maybe do something about that. And so we had this crazy idea to have me run for mayor and just have a totally different message than any of the other people, Democrats mostly, who were running. And then we won. So that was kind of my path.

I always cared about this stuff, but I never would have guessed that. that I would run for state treasurer or that I would really find meaning in local government. And obviously did not think when I was running for mayor that I was going to turn around and seek the presidency.

I always cared about this stuff, but I never would have guessed that. that I would run for state treasurer or that I would really find meaning in local government. And obviously did not think when I was running for mayor that I was going to turn around and seek the presidency.

I always cared about this stuff, but I never would have guessed that. that I would run for state treasurer or that I would really find meaning in local government. And obviously did not think when I was running for mayor that I was going to turn around and seek the presidency.

If it weren't for all of the unique things that were going on in our country in 2019, at any other moment, somebody like me never would have run for president.

If it weren't for all of the unique things that were going on in our country in 2019, at any other moment, somebody like me never would have run for president.

If it weren't for all of the unique things that were going on in our country in 2019, at any other moment, somebody like me never would have run for president.

Uh, yeah, it was definitely, it was definitely a thing, uh, last time around, although a lot of people were, I think in my party, especially people like get ahead of themselves or they get really wrapped up in this where there's only one way to actually find out. And that's to like go to voters and see what they're ready for.

Uh, yeah, it was definitely, it was definitely a thing, uh, last time around, although a lot of people were, I think in my party, especially people like get ahead of themselves or they get really wrapped up in this where there's only one way to actually find out. And that's to like go to voters and see what they're ready for.

Uh, yeah, it was definitely, it was definitely a thing, uh, last time around, although a lot of people were, I think in my party, especially people like get ahead of themselves or they get really wrapped up in this where there's only one way to actually find out. And that's to like go to voters and see what they're ready for.

I don't think a lot of people thought that my like Indiana city was ready for a mayor who was gay. When I got reelected after coming out, I had a higher vote percentage than the first time around.