Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg sat down with Van Jones over at CNN over the weekend for an interview, during which he spoke about his husband, Chasten.
Since announcing his candidacy in January, Buttigieg has gone from a small town mayor of South Bend, Indiana to a national political figure, and raised an impressive $7 million along the way.
Asked how his husband Chasten is dealing with Pete’s newfound notoriety, the 2020 hopeful replies: “He’s pretty good at rolling with it, and I’m lucky for that. Frankly, he’s one of the best things I’ve got going for me. I love him. He’s grounded. He keeps me grounded.”
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Of course, this isn’t Chasten’s first time at the rodeo. He was also around when Buttigieg was elected mayor of South Bend. So he knows a thing or two about what it means to be a political spouse.
“He was really alive to the ways that we could use our abilities to help people, to make people feel better just by showing up at their event,” Pete says. “He’s taken that same attitude on the trail. He definitely got more than he bargained for.”
And now, the question we’ve all be waiting for.
How did they meet?
“I met him through this app called Hinge,” Buttigieg confesses. “As soon as I saw his picture, I saw something in his eyes. I said ‘I gotta meet this guy.’ And then I did.”
And the rest, they say, is history.
Related: Writer questions if Pete Buttigieg is “gay enough” to be the first gay president. Cue the outrage.
Buttigieg says he was drawn to his husband’s “really quick wit” and describes their relationship sort of like a marathon, but in a good way.
“I was trying to keep up with him, and what I found was that I’m still trying to keep up with him in a lot of ways.”
Watch.
Charlie in Charge
Mazel!
LARRY
Indeed!
Peter
The exact opposite of Trump: actually smart, a veteran, high moral standards, likable, only married once and not a traitor. In other words, he doesn’t have a chance in hell of being elected because of the stupidity of people in this country and their deep religious convictions.
stanhope
If only what you said were not true….alas it is….i wait in earnest for the pendulum to swing back to decency, morality, truth and integrity.
Beachman
I couldn’t agree with you less. He’s the polar opposite of Trump, and doesn’t carry the baggage ALL the other Democratic candidates carry. He’s authentic and comfortable in his skin, and he’s from the midwest….which plays a huge role with the electoral college. The Democrats already know they can take the coasts….its the ‘flyover states’ they need to focus on which flipped to Trump in 2016. Sorry, but you’re not going to flip Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin or Michigan with Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris or Corey Booker. But you can with a Buttigieg.
You watch….this guy is on fire and he’s not even technically running for President yet.
Brian
I would say that the chances of the first major party gay presidential candidate winning the nomination, let alone the presidency are quite slim. The win for us will be that glass ceiling being broken, so it will be old hat in the next election.
UlfRaynor
He was elected mayor in his conservative, Trump voting town and Mike Pence’s Indiana by 80% of the vote.
Don’t be so quick to dismiss.
stanhope
Hon, clearly marijuana is legal where you live and you got the potent variety.
Kangol
He’s one of the best in the Democratic field. Can he emerge from that field and win the presidency? I’m not counting him out by a long shot.
fur_hunter
This young man is right on the beam. He does not beat around the bush when asked a question like so many politicians do. He answers questions intelligently. Smart, grounded, forward thinking and looking. It should be interesting.
Jim Brown
Chasten, keep our boy chaste! 🙂 I really believe Mayor Pete does have a chance. He’s impressed the hell out of all segments of the population, INCLUDING right-wing Christians!
UCLADave
I met him last week in Los Angeles he’s incredibly smart very personable but he is very very short
Blackceo
I gotta say I am impressed with Buttigieg, but he is going to struggle in the primary, particularly with Black voters for his comments on Democrats needing to cozy up to Trump voters. Yeah most Black voters aren’t feeling that, and you cannot win the Democratic primary without the support of Black voters, particularly Black women. Ask Bernie Sanders. I think there is a way to answer that question that can satisfy both sides. But his answers so far ain’t it.
I think he would make a good VP candidate, or even be in a cabinet position, but he is not winning the primary. I like him though. Intelligent, measured, executive experience. His story is interesting. I could care less about how religious he is, but he certainly has a future in the party and in politics.
CanadianGuy62
Nothing to be embarrassed about meeting his spouse on an app. It could have been worse…he could have ordered him mail order from Slovenia.
Blackceo
BLOOP!!!!! #BeBest LOL
Gary Q VV
He has my support and financial backing. People say that he’s a longshot, and that’s true. But most candidates are longshots early on in any race for political office. The clocks-a-ticking, so if you’re interested in electing Pete as president – our first openly gay president – then get organized and do your best effort, and take part in his campaign, no matter what that my be.
evanxx
Pete’s the kind of gay man that is comfortable in any group of people, & makes other people comfortable around him. HE has the appeal that spans ALL generations. The thing that impressed me most about him was that he didn’t fit into any stereotypes! PETE is a one-of-a-kind guy….a once in a generation leader for ALL Americans!
GayEGO
I know the feeling. I saw my lifetime partner 3 times, looking across a crowd of gay guys at a gay bar, and he looked at me on his way out. Finally, I asked another guy to introduce me to him because I had seen him talking to the guy. From that time on, I felt a bonding between us and I would not let it go. He later on told me that I taught him how to love. We have been together 57 years, married 15 years in Massachusetts. We are both retired and living the American Dream.
MuslimSlutBox
Pete and Chasten are a really cute couple. Did the husband take Pete’s last name when they got married? If so, that’s cute too. The whole situation is cute, and they are making a mark on the political landscape right now, but seriously, Pete doesn’t stand a chance against people like Kamala. The numbers are against him, but it’s a start.