Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

6 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

6 hours ago

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

10 hours ago

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

12 hours ago

Trump Signs Orders Aimed At Ending Cashless Bail Policies

12 hours ago

Fresno County DUI Crash Sends Car Into Embankment Near Highway 99

14 hours ago

Wrongly Deported Migrant Abrego Again Detained by US Immigration Officials

14 hours ago

Fresno County Wildfire Burns 3,338 Acres, Evacuation Orders Issued

15 hours ago
Buttigieg Scrambles to Turn 2020 Buzz Into Momentum
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
April 22, 2019

Share

MANCHESTER, N.H. — There are no policy positions on his website. He has virtually no paid presence in the states that matter most. And his campaign manager is a high school friend with no experience in presidential politics.
This is the upstart campaign of Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old Indiana mayor who has suddenly become one of the hottest names in the Democrats’ presidential primary season. Yet there is an increasing urgency, inside and outside of the campaign, that his moment may pass if he doesn’t take swift action to build a national organization capable of harnessing the energy he’ll need to sustain his surge in the nine months or so before the first votes are cast.
“I get more inquiries on how to reach him or his campaign than anyone else,” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said, adding that he’s aware of just one part-time Buttigieg staffer in the state to help coordinate the requests.
“This is what it’s like when you’re having your moment,” Buckley said. “Whether he can capitalize — that’s his challenge.”
Indeed, it’s far from certain that Buttigieg, a gay former military officer, will continue to stand out in a contest that features political heavyweights like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden, who is expected to launch his candidacy later this week. Aware of the daunting road ahead, Buttigieg’s team is plowing forward with an ambitious push to expand his operation, attract new campaign cash and pound the airwaves with virtually every media opportunity available.

The Campaign Had Little More Than a Dozen Paid Staffers

In an interview, Buttigieg conceded that his supporters across the country have essentially had to “organize themselves” so far.

“We need to make sure we have the organizational strengths to sustain this wave of support that we’ve been getting for the last almost month and a half now. It’s created some challenges to rise this far this fast, but I would put those in the category of a good problem to have.” — Pete Buttigieg
“We need to make sure we have the organizational strengths to sustain this wave of support that we’ve been getting for the last almost month and a half now,” he said. “It’s created some challenges to rise this far this fast, but I would put those in the category of a good problem to have.”
Federal filings suggest the campaign had little more than a dozen paid staffers at the end of last month. Buttigieg’s paid presence now exceeds 30, according to campaign manager Mike Schmuhl, who said it’ll be closer to 50 by the end of the month.
Most of the team is based in South Bend, Indiana, while a handful of staffers work from shared “We Work” office space in Chicago and a few others are based in Iowa and New Hampshire. Buttigieg plans to expand his presence in Iowa and New Hampshire and hire paid staff in South Carolina, Nevada and California in the coming weeks.
Still, don’t expect the Democratic mayor to create a giant campaign apparatus in line with Warren, Sanders or even New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Buttigieg has the money to build a large organization after raising more than $7 million last quarter, but the core of the near-term campaign strategy hinges on an aggressive fundraising schedule and a say-yes-to-almost-everything media strategy — whether media outlets focused on politics, entertainment or sports — backed by strong debate performances.

Voters Eager to Learn More About the Mayor’s Policy Positions

Schmuhl said the campaign doesn’t have national political consultants on the payroll and it’s unclear if it ever will.

“We want to build a campaign that’s a little disruptive, kind of entrepreneurial. Right now, it feels like a startup.” — Mike Schmuhl, Buttigieg’s campaign manager
“We want to build a campaign that’s a little disruptive, kind of entrepreneurial. Right now, it feels like a startup,” said Schmuhl, who first met Buttigieg in high school and later ran former Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly’s 2010 congressional campaign before reconnecting with Buttigieg.
There are clearly organizational challenges as the campaign ramps up, Schmuhl continued, but there is also “tremendous opportunity.”
“We’re in the game,” he said.
As was the case in former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s early campaign appearances, the lack of formal organization has allowed for a certain level of authenticity on the campaign trail as Buttigieg introduces himself to voters. It’s also created challenges.
He’s drawing big crowds in Iowa and New Hampshire, but there were few, if any, campaign staff on hand to take down information from enthusiastic supporters who want to be part of the campaign. While Buckley said he’s aware of only one part-time staffer in the state, a Buttigieg spokesman said the aide was full-time.
And voters eager to learn more about the mayor’s policy positions have been left wanting. Buttigieg has called for ending the Electoral College and expanding the Supreme Court. But in sharp contrast to some of his higher-profile competitors, he has yet to hire a policy director or release any written policies.
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg announces that he will seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a rally, Sunday, April 14, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Buttigieg’s Team Wants to Get Him in Front of as Many People as Possible

New Hampshire Democrat Lauren O’Sullivan, a 35-year-old who attended a house party for Buttigieg over the weekend, said she was initially unsure about the Midwestern mayor after going on his website. She felt she “didn’t know where he stood on any positions.”
She was somewhat reassured after he talked about specific policies at the Saturday house party.
“It was good to see that there is some platform,” O’Sullivan said.
For now, Buttigieg’s team wants to get him in front of as many people as possible.
That’ll include travel to meet voters in the early states on the presidential primary calendar, but after a week on the road in Iowa and New Hampshire, he’ll spend the coming days focused on raising as much money as possible.
This week he’ll launch a California fundraising swing featuring 11 stops across three days. Hollywood has taken an early liking to Buttigieg. Actors including Ryan Reynolds have already written small checks. Others in the entertainment industry are expected to attend events on the California tour, although the campaign declined to name them.

Buttigieg Acknowledged His Organizational Challenges

It’s critically important for Buttigieg to focus on fundraising while he’s surging, said Democratic strategist Symone Sanders, who predicted that Buttigieg’s moment is unlikely to last.

“Every time I fool myself into thinking I’m a household name, I get a humbling reminder somewhere that not everybody is following the blow by blow.” — Pete Buttigieg
“Three weeks ago it was Beto. Now it’s Mayor Pete. Three weeks from now it’ll be somebody else,” she said. “It’s important to have a viable campaign to capitalize on this moment.”
Buttigieg acknowledged his organizational challenges on the campaign trail in recent days.
“Every time I fool myself into thinking I’m a household name, I get a humbling reminder somewhere that not everybody is following the blow by blow,” he said at the New Hampshire house party. He asked voters to join his effort, which he said is now “racing to build an organization to catch up with ourselves.”
Afterward, as some in the crowd eagerly lined up for pictures with the young mayor, 65-year-old retired doctor Wayne Goldner stood in the kitchen and praised Buttigieg’s performance.
The mayor’s getting “very popular,” he said, and rightfully so.
“He’s going to get too big for house parties,” Goldner said. “I think in New Hampshire he’s big enough for the bigger venues already.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Crash With Semi-Truck Leaves Man Dead

DON'T MISS

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

DON'T MISS

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

DON'T MISS

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

DON'T MISS

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

DON'T MISS

Entz: Bulldogs Must ‘Learn, Burn, Return’ After Kansas Loss

DON'T MISS

Caleb Quick’s Father, Other Parents Protest at Fresno Court to Repeal Prop 57

UP NEXT

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

UP NEXT

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

UP NEXT

CA Bill To Give Interest On Insurance Payments To Homeowners

UP NEXT

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

UP NEXT

Trump Signs Orders Aimed At Ending Cashless Bail Policies

UP NEXT

US National Guard Troops in Washington to Begin Carrying Weapons, Officials Say

UP NEXT

Trump to Sign Orders Aimed at Ending Cashless Bail Policies

UP NEXT

Pentagon Working on Plans for Military Deployment in Chicago, Washington Post Reports

UP NEXT

Hegseth Authorizes Troops in DC to Carry Weapons

UP NEXT

Texas, Florida Seek to Join Legal Challenge to Abortion Pill

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

6 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

6 hours ago

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

6 hours ago

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

7 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

7 hours ago

Entz: Bulldogs Must ‘Learn, Burn, Return’ After Kansas Loss

7 hours ago

Caleb Quick’s Father, Other Parents Protest at Fresno Court to Repeal Prop 57

8 hours ago

SF Has Avoided Trump’s Ire Until Now. Will He Send National Guard?

10 hours ago

Lil Nas X Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Charges of Assaulting Police

10 hours ago

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

10 hours ago

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

Steven R. Lewis, the brand new chief executive officer of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, says he’ll be prepared to ax p...

2 hours ago

Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission CEO, Steven Lewis
2 hours ago

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

Fresno County sheriff’s deputy Jaime Mendoza, 30, was arrested Monday, August 25, 2025, on suspicion of domestic violence, officials said. (Fresno County SO)
2 hours ago

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

fresno
6 hours ago

Fresno County Crash With Semi-Truck Leaves Man Dead

YouTube app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

California Governor Gavin Newsom, along with local congressional representatives, state officials and supporters, speaks as he announces the redrawing of California's congressional maps, calling on voters to approve a ballot measure, in response to a similar move in Texas being supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 14, 2025. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

6 hours ago

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Oval Office, at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 25, 2025. (Reuters/Brian Snyder)
7 hours ago

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

7 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend