Buttegieg-founded PAC to back down-ballot Democrats in 2022 midterms

Adam Wren
·2 min read
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Pete Buttigieg’s mostly dormant Win the Era PAC is jolting back to life four months ahead of crucial midterm elections.

The PAC — which has $1.6 million in the bank but has not been actively raising money — will throw its support behind a slate of state and federal candidates chosen for their youth and diversity, according to a source close to Win the Era.

In a Twitter thread, the PAC, under the handle title of “Team Pete HQ,” announced the endorsements, characterizing the candidates as “changing the face of leadership across our country,” and including a call for donations, 100 percent of which will go to candidates.

Buttigieg, who founded the PAC in April 2020, stepped down from the group following his nomination and subsequent confirmation as secretary of transportation.

The first wave of endorsements includes three U.S. House candidates, two statehouse incumbents, and a gubernatorial hopeful. They are hailed as “Barrier Breakers” who represent the new faces of a younger and more diverse generation of candidates: Navy veteran Kermit Jones in California’s 3rd Congressional district, Rep. Lauren Underwood in Illinois’ 14th Congressional district, Rep. Sharice Davids in Kansas’ 3rd Congressional district; and Florida State Sen. Shevrin Jones in the Florida Senate and Nevada Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui.

The list also features Ohio gubernatorial candidate and former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, who is running against Republican incumbent Mike DeWine. She is a long-time Buttigieg ally, having endorsed his presidential campaign and delivered remarks at his April 2019 campaign launch in South Bend, Ind.

“I’m honored to have the endorsement of Win the Era and to be listed as a Barrier Breaker candidate,” Whaley said in a prepared statement obtained by POLITICO. “Ohio deserves a governor with a bold vision for our state — where one good job is enough to provide for you and your family and where you don’t have to move away from opportunity.”

Buttigieg launched the PAC and nonprofit issue advocacy group after his unsuccessful presidential campaign. Last year, Win the Era pivoted to focus on issues advanced by the Biden-Harris administration, such as climate change, economic justice, democracy reform, mental health and national service. Maxwell Nunes, the former digital director of Win the Era, is the outfit’s executive director. Swati Mylavarapu, the former national investment chair for Buttigieg’s presidential campaign, chairs its board.