Chasten Buttigieg goes from opening act to fundraising star

[left-of-center2012]

Chasten Buttigieg has gone viral on social media and supported his husband on the presidential campaign trail. Now, he’s playing a new role for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 bid: rainmaker.

Chasten is slated to be the sole headline draw for several Pete for America fundraisers over the next month, starting with an event in Chicago this week. In October, Chasten will swing through New York City for another fundraiser, followed by a trip overseas to raise money from Americans living in London on Oct. 22, according to event invitations obtained by POLITICO.

Buttigieg’s campaign is leaning on Chasten to a notable extent, playing off his rise to social media stardom by ramping up his public schedule since this summer. That has freed Pete to spend less time courting donors — which he’s done successfully, leading the Democratic field with nearly $25 million raised last quarter — and more time talking with voters in the early nominating states, where the campaign is putting a heavy emphasis on building its infrastructure.

"Chasten is introducing America to what a same-sex couple looks like,” said Stephanie Cutter, a Democratic consultant, who served as Barack Obama’s deputy campaign manager and Michelle Obama’s chief of staff. “In that, he does a remarkable job of humanizing Pete, a candidate who is already very relatable.”



https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/22/pete-chasten-buttigieg-fundraising-2020-1507270

[brooklynite]

1. The one problem I have with the Buttigieg campaign is that they haven't asked me for money...

...which isn't a matter of self-importance, it's a question of why they haven't scoured Pete's list of personal contacts for likely contributors (we have each other's private email addresses) and why they haven't followed up after I reminded them in Detroit and Des Moines.

[murielm99]

2. I gave Pete money

and bought a shirt. They ask me for money, via email, quite often.

You must be out of the loop.

[Gothmog]

3. I am not sure how this happen but I am on Pete's email list

I have not donated to him but I get e-mails on a regular basis. I have donated to Warren, Castro, Beto and Biden and get their e-mails in addition to Harris' and Mayor Pete's emails.