Pete Buttigieg wants U.S. voters to know that the Midwest 'is not afraid of change'

In his first visit to Indianapolis since announcing his 2020 bid for the White House, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg spoke candidly to hundreds at IUPUI on Sunday about being a millennial in Indiana, his stance on topics such as health care and gun violence, and his advice to LGBT youth.

The event at Hine Hall Auditorium at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis was part of Buttigieg's 10-city tour for his autobiography, "Shortest Way Home." More than 400 people filled the auditorium to hear the Hoosier presidential candidate.

The 37-year-old's book, which landed on the New York Times' best-sellers list last week, chronicles success stories from his time as mayor, his unsuccessful campaign for state treasurer, his military service in Afghanistan, his relationship with Indiana and his return home to South Bend.

"Our part of the country really holds the key to the future of U.S. politics and economics in a lot of ways, so in the course of sharing South Bend's story, I'm really trying to tell a broader story about the interior of the U.S.," Buttigieg told IndyStar. "I want people to understand that this is a part of the country that is not afraid of change."

Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/24/pete-buttigieg-democrat-presidential-candidate-wants-voters-know-indiana-midwest-not-afraid-change/2929209002/