Pete Buttigieg campaigns for Whitmer and Democratic candidates in Northern Michigan

CHARLEVOIX — As part of a statewide campaign push in the last days before the midterm election, U.S. Secretary of Transportation and former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg made a stop in Charlevoix on Saturday, Oct. 29 to rally voters who were signing up to canvas for the area’s Democratic candidates.

Standing in front of a wall plastered with "Whitmer for Governor" signs, Buttigieg spoke to an audience of around 80 people at the Charlevoix Public Library about being a Democrat in a Republican dominated part of Michigan. Buttigieg’s husband stood nearby at the front of the room as he spoke to the audience.

“I feel an affinity with this community because it reminds of home ... if you are a Democrat in this area you might see all the signs and billboards and advertisements and start to think you are the only one,” said Buttigieg, adding, “This is a rather conservative area.”

More:What’s on the Nov. 8 ballot in Emmet County?

Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, have recently moved to nearby Traverse City to be closer to family.  Last year, the couple welcomed twins Penelope Rose and Joseph August, whom he mentioned to the Charlevoix crowd.

The event was hosted by the Charlevoix Democratic Party in support of the district’s slate of state and federal candidates: Dr. Bob Lorinser, who is running for Congress against incumbent Republican Bob Bergman; Barb Conley, who is running against Republican John Damoose for a State Senate seat in the 37th district; and Jodi Decker, who is running for a State House seat in the 107th district against Republican Neil Friske.

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With less than 10 days before election day, all the local candidates said they were working hard to make the last days of their campaign count.

Speaking to the News-Review at the event, Conley said women’s reproductive rights and the economy were the main topics of concern she has heard from people while campaigning.

When asked about his impression of predominant concerns from his potential constituents, Lorinser said he’s seen a lot of ups and downs in the economy over his lifetime, but most concerning to him is the current strife between political opponents.

When asked by the News-Review what he would do to differently if elected to congress, Lorinser said, “Tell the truth.”

More:What's on the ballot in Charlevoix County?

Education was one of the first items Buttigieg discussed at the event on Saturday.

“When it comes to public education, the most important thing to worry about is not whether a kid goes home to two moms or two dads but that they are going home safely,” he said.

“And when it comes to the instruction that is going on, the most important thing isn’t what books you can ban. It is making sure that teachers have the resources to actually support our kids,” he said, in a reference to the recent debate between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and opponent Tudor Dixon.

“Most people are looking for leaders that are more interested in building bridges than banning books,” Buttigieg added.

Buttigieg also spoke about his military service and inclusivity.

“When I was deployed and it was my turn to get a vehicle out of the motor pool and go on that road through Kabul ... nobody every said, ‘Hey, I just need to real quick ask first if you are straight or gay ... or if you are a Democrat or a Republican ... nobody cared about that," he said. "They just needed to know if we could trust each other with our lives, and we did.”

Buttigieg thanked the crowd for their involvement and interest in the election.

“We are not alone, as a matter of fact, we represent a strong American majority of public opinion on issue after issue after issue," he said. "We have to remind ourselves of that."

Election day is on Nov. 8.

— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Pete Buttigieg visits Charlevoix to support Democratic candidates