Pete Buttigieg is the top pick for president among American voters – but there’s a catch
Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event on December 8, 2019 in Washington, Iowa. (Win McNamee/Getty)
As the US Democrats scramble in the primaries to decide which lawmaker is the most suitable to battle President Donald Trump, a new poll has shown that Pete Buttigieg is the American voters’ pick.
The South Bend, Indiana, mayor catapulted into headlines when he announced his presidential bid, creeping up polls to stand a strong chance of becoming the country’s first openly gay leader.
But as much as Buttigieg is barrelling towards victories in some crucial caucuses, poll participants in the Axios study declared the 37 year old as the strongest contender to lead the Democrats.
At least, by the time he’s aged 41, as the eye-opening poll was for those people perceived as potential forerunners in the 2024 elections.
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Overall, the poll punctured some bookies and political pundits perceptions that a centred candidate is needed to draw in the crowds, with the pool of blue tie lawmakers being one that is diverse and left-leaning in various ways.
Buttigieg struck big, grabbing 30 per cent of the 1,769 people surveyed, all of whom would be described as leaning towards the Democrats.
The theoretical field of candidates vying for the top White House seat is also one not exactly white, with not a single straight, cis-gendered white man making the cut.
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Oprah Winfrey (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Senator Kamala Harris, who dropped out of the 2020 race last year, emerged second in the poll. A sturdy standing of 26 per cent, just points away from Buttigieg.
Several other candidates of colour also made the top tier, with senator Cory Booker, representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, TV personality Oprah Winfrey, former Atlanta mayor Stacey Abrams and senator Amy Klobuchar rounding out the list.
Most of the figures have proved to be staunch LGBT+ allies, whether through their activist works, unwavering histories as allies and voting records.
Ocasio-Cortez swept up the younger voters, leading the charge with those aged 18-29. Buttigieg, on the other hand, proved popular among the older categories.
Nestled between the lines were current big names in the 2020 race, such as Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who both received write-in votes.
