Openly Gay Indiana Mayor Enters Race to Lead Democratic Party

While the country braces for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, the Democratic Party is searching for a new leader who can help the left recapture both top offices as well as local elections.

The party may have found that leader in Peter Buttigieg, who entered the race for chairman of the DNC this week.

Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is vying to replace interim chairwoman Donna Brazile, although the field of candidates is already crowded with favorites like Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and Rep. Keith Ellison.

However, Buttigieg told The New York Times that the Democratic Party needs a leader that can recapture some of the populist vote that lead ultimately to Trump's victory in November.

"I think there needs to be a voice for communities like mine," Buttigieg said. "And I don't just mean communities in the Midwest, but communities where the decisions made in Washington actually affect people."

A Harvard graduate, a Rhodes Scholar, and an openly gay Navy veteran, Buttigieg has served two terms as mayor of South Bend.

"I can't think of something more meaningful than organizing the opposition in the face of what I think will be a pretty monstrous presidency and challenging time out here in the states," he said.