Chasten Buttigieg, Mayor Pete's Husband, Just Gave His First Major Interview

Chasten Buttigieg has been supportive and vocal about his husband Pete Buttigieg's popular presidential run. In what looks like his first interview since "Mayor Pete" decided to run for president, Chasten sat down with NowThis to talk about his husband, the response to his candidacy, and what they consider important for themselves and others.

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(Image credit: JOSHUA LOTT)

By Katherine J. Igoe

published 17 April 2019

in News

Chasten Buttigieg, who has been supportive and vocal about his husband Pete Buttigieg's popular presidential run, has already spoken on social media about LGBTQ issues and other topics that will be hotly considered during the run-up to 2020. But, in his first major interview since "Mayor Pete" decided to run for president, Chasten sat down with NowThis to talk about his husband, the response to his candidacy, and what they consider important for themselves and others they're trying to support.

First, Chasten provides some oh-so-adorable details on his first date with Pete: "When I pulled up in front of his house to pick him up, he opened the door and we both said 'howdy' at the same time and then we both said, 'What? That's my word!'" Ummm, I love it.

He also talks about why he became a teacher, and how he was inspired from the lack of resources he had when he was growing up: "I wanted to be the teacher in the room that made kids feel like their dreams mattered...When I was 13, I didn't think that there was a world waiting for me...I would have told myself to be patient. I wanted everything right away. But it takes time, and now I have an amazing husband, an amazing group of supportive friends."

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Mayor Pete's Dogs Have a Better IG Than I Do

Chasten spoke about the current political climate—one of the many reasons he and Pete are now on the campaign trail. "I don't think we can be comfortable where we're at now. Equality wasn't won when we were granted marriage equality, it was just the beginning. We can't be complacent with where we're at right now. We're just getting started."

When Pete announced his candidacy and Chasten was backstage listening to the crowd responding to him, he says, "I was shaking uncontrollably...I was just overcome with emotion."

Chasten's also gotten messages of support, even from people living in red states, to himself and Pete—first openly gay Democratic presidential candidate. "I'm really happy to carry the torch and bravely and proudly carry the banner for our community and for everyone. This campaign is love and you are loved and you matter. And we're gonna go out there and make you proud." (weeps quietly)

Here's the full video:

It's worth it to watch the whole thing: Chasten talks about the teacher who most inspired him, what it's like being on the campaign trail—and a cameo from Mayor Pete himself talking about how much he loves Chasten. **heart eyes emoji**

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Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award.

Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.