Jane Lynch, Ryan Reynolds, Mandy Moore donate to Pete Buttigieg
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg announces that he will be seeking the Democratic nomination for president during a rally in the old Studebaker car factory on April 14, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Scott Olson/Getty)
Jane Lynch, Ryan Reynolds and Mandy Moore are among the Hollywood stars donating to presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg.
The gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, made history on Sunday (April 14) when he launched his 2020 campaign for President of the United States.
According to Variety, filings with the Federal Election Commission reveal the mayor has won some high-profile backers to date.
Ryan Reynolds, Jane Lynch, and Mandy Moore back Pete Buttigieg
Hollywood stars including Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, Glee‘s Jane Lynch, West Wing‘s Bradley Whitford and Mandy Moore of This is Us are among those to have made donations to Buttigieg.
Out TV executives including The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken and How to Get Away with Murder creator Peter Nowalk also backed the candidate, alongside Game of Thrones executive producer Carolyn Strauss.
Buttigieg also received donations from Barack Obama’s former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, and from James Murdoch, the son of media magnate Rupert Murdoch.
Actor Ryan Reynolds is among those who have donated to Pete Buttigieg. (Getty)
Mandy Moore is among those who has been vocal in her support of the candidate, tweeting: “#PeteForAmerica.”
Jane Lynch has also shared articles praising the candidate on social media, tweeting one that reads: “Pete Buttigieg Revived South Bend With Tech. Up Next: America.”
The Indiana Democrat has fared well in fundraising so far, raising $7 million towards his presidential bid, putting him within reach of several of the favourites in the race.
Pete for America: Presidential candidate and husband Chasten Buttigieg have won hearts
The candidate has not shied away from addressing his relationship with husband Chasten, sharing a tender moment with him onstage after announcing his bid in South Bend on Sunday.
In his speech to the Pete for America rally, Buttigieg said: “My name is Pete Buttigieg. They call me Mayor Pete. I am a proud son of South Bend, Indiana, and I am running for President of the United States.”
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg greets his husband Chasten Glezman (R) after announcing that he will be seeking the Democratic nomination for president during a rally in the old Studebaker car factory on April 14, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Scott Olson/Getty)
He added: “We live in a moment that compels us each to act. The forces changing our country today are tectonic.
“Forces that help to explain what made this current presidency even possible. This time it’s not just about winning an election, it’s about winning an era.”
The candidate also paid an emotional tribute to his husband Chasten, to loud cheers from the crowd, “for giving me the strength to do this, and the grounding to be myself as we go.”
Referencing LGBT+ rights, he said: “Take it from Chasten and me, you’re not free if a county clerk gets to tell you who you ought to marry because their idea of their political beliefs.”
He added: “Our marriage exists by the grace of a single vote on the US Supreme Court. Nine women and men sat down in a room and took a vote, and brought me the most important freedom in my life.”
