Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke endorses Pete Buttigieg for president

September 18, 2019 at 9:31 a.m. | Updated September 18, 2019 at 9:55 a.m.

by Sarah Grace Taylor

In this Aug. 23, 2019, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during a Veteran's and Mental Health Town Hall event at an American Legion Hall, in Manchester, N.H. Buttigieg is unveiling a community-focused approach to disaster relief in a South Carolina city hit hard by last year's Hurricane Florence. AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)
In this Aug. 23, 2019, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during a Veteran's and Mental Health Town Hall event at an American Legion Hall, in Manchester, N.H. Buttigieg is unveiling a community-focused approach to disaster relief in a South Carolina city hit hard by last year's Hurricane Florence. AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke took to Twitter early Wednesday morning, endorsing Pete Buttigieg in the 2020 presidential democratic primary race.

He was among more than 50 mayors across the country endorsing Buttigieg, the 37-year-old Democratic mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

"For the decade I have known Pete Buttigieg, he has worked hard to make mid-sized cities like Chattanooga and South Bend stronger and more prosperous," Berke said of the Indiana mayor. "No one better understands the obstacles people face and how the federal government can help improve their lives."

Berke, who announced this summer he would not seek an open U.S. Senate seat at the end of his final term as mayor, praised Buttigieg for a number of personal and professional qualities, finally endorsing him for president.

"Just as importantly, he is honest, sincere, and inclusive - essential qualities in a leader. I am happy to endorse Pete Buttigieg to be President of the United States," Berke added.

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