Buttigieg lands LGBTQ group’s endorsement

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has picked up the endorsement of Equality California, one of the country’s largest LGBTQ advocacy groups, and its Nevada sister organization, which could prove important in the primaries.

The former South Bend, Ind., mayor is the only openly gay candidate in the Democratic primary race, but the endorsement wasn’t a guarantee, as an Equality California panel also considered Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and billionaire Tom Steyer, who’s from California. Each candidate in the race had the chance to fill out a survey for the committee.

But, Equality California’s executive director, Rick Zbur, told The Associated Press that it was ultimately “an easy decision.”

According to the group, Buttigieg impressed the endorsement committee with his in-depth policies for protecting LGBTQ youth in schools and stopping the HIV epidemic by 2030.

“My campaign is based around a shared future of belonging for all Americans, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Buttigieg said in an emailed statement to the wire service.

“President Trump’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, especially our trans members, have shown us that the fight for equal rights did not end with marriage equality. I will be the President to continue that fight for equality,” he continued.