Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, poses for a portrait at his office in December 2018.
In photos: Former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, poses for a portrait at his office in December 2018.
Joshua Lott/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Updated 1718 GMT (0118 HKT) March 02, 2020

Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, dropped out of the presidential race on Sunday, March 1.

Buttigieg officially made the announcement at an event in South Bend, where he said "today is a moment of truth ... the truth is the path has narrowed to a close, for our candidacy, if not for our cause."

Buttigieg added: "We have a responsibility to concede the effect of remaining in this race any further. Our goal has always been to help unify Americans to defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values."

Buttigieg's run was historic. He is the first openly gay man to launch a competitive campaign for president, and he broke barriers by becoming the first gay candidate to earn primary delegates for a major party's presidential nomination.

Buttigieg was an intelligence officer with the Navy Reserve from 2009 until 2017, and he served in the war in Afghanistan.
Buttigieg was an intelligence officer with the Navy Reserve from 2009 until 2017, and he served in the war in Afghanistan.
Pete Buttigieg/Twitter
Buttigieg thanks supporters after he was elected mayor in 2011. Buttigieg was born and raised in South Bend and went on to attend Harvard College. He later became a Rhodes scholar. After a three-year stint at the consulting firm McKinsey and Company, Buttigieg came back to Indiana and lost a race for state treasurer in 2010.
Buttigieg thanks supporters after he was elected mayor in 2011. Buttigieg was born and raised in South Bend and went on to attend Harvard College. He later became a Rhodes scholar. After a three-year stint at the consulting firm McKinsey and Company, Buttigieg came back to Indiana and lost a race for state treasurer in 2010.
Marcus Marter/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg listens to a question during a news conference announcing an interim police chief in March 2012.
Buttigieg listens to a question during a news conference announcing an interim police chief in March 2012.
James Brosher/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg paddles a raft during the East Race Waterway in July 2013.
Buttigieg paddles a raft during the East Race Waterway in July 2013.
Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg delivers his State of the City address in February 2014.
Buttigieg delivers his State of the City address in February 2014.
Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg is welcomed home in September 2014 after serving a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Buttigieg is welcomed home in September 2014 after serving a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Greg Swiercz/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg speaks in November 2014 during a presentation ceremony for a newly redeveloped area in South Bend.
Buttigieg speaks in November 2014 during a presentation ceremony for a newly redeveloped area in South Bend.
Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg speaks out about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that was signed in Indiana in March 2015. Buttigieg and other critics of the legislation, which was signed into law by then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, contended that individuals and businesses could use it to discriminate against the gay community on the basis of religion. Pence later signed an amendment that was intended to protect the rights of LGBT people.
Buttigieg speaks out about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that was signed in Indiana in March 2015. Buttigieg and other critics of the legislation, which was signed into law by then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, contended that individuals and businesses could use it to discriminate against the gay community on the basis of religion. Pence later signed an amendment that was intended to protect the rights of LGBT people.
Greg Swiercz/South Bend Tribune/AP
The State Theater in downtown South Bend shows its support for "Mayor Pete" after Buttigieg <a href="https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/south-bend-mayor-why-coming-out-matters/article_4dce0d12-1415-11e5-83c0-739eebd623ee.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">came out</a> as gay in June 2015.
The State Theater in downtown South Bend shows its support for "Mayor Pete" after Buttigieg came out as gay in June 2015.
Santiago Flores/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg's name is Maltese and roughly translates to "lord of the poultry." His husband, Chasten, tweeted a list of possible pronunciations in 2018 that included "boot-edge-edge," "buddha-judge" and "boot-a-judge."
Buttigieg's name is Maltese and roughly translates to "lord of the poultry." His husband, Chasten, tweeted a list of possible pronunciations in 2018 that included "boot-edge-edge," "buddha-judge" and "boot-a-judge."
Joshua Lott/The New York Times/Redux
Buttigieg speaks at a debate-watching party in Chicago in September 2016. He was stumping for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Buttigieg speaks at a debate-watching party in Chicago in September 2016. He was stumping for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Derek Henkle/AFP/Getty Images
Buttigieg speaks during a Democratic National Committee forum in February 2017.
Buttigieg speaks during a Democratic National Committee forum in February 2017.
Joshua Roberts/Reuters
Buttigieg greets supporters during the DNC forum in February 2017. He was campaigning at the time to be the committee's chairman.
Buttigieg greets supporters during the DNC forum in February 2017. He was campaigning at the time to be the committee's chairman.
Joshua Roberts/Reuters
Buttigieg walks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, a personal friend, who was <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/05/01/why-facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-hanging-out-south-bend-mayor-pete-buttigieg-and-elkhart-firefighters/101145566/" target="_blank" target="_blank">visiting South Bend</a> in April 2017.
Buttigieg walks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, a personal friend, who was visiting South Bend in April 2017.
Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg appears on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" in June 2017.
Buttigieg appears on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" in June 2017.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Buttigieg kisses his husband, Chasten, after they were married in South Bend in June 2018.
Buttigieg kisses his husband, Chasten, after they were married in South Bend in June 2018.
Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg announces in December 2018 that he would not be seeking a third term as mayor.
Buttigieg announces in December 2018 that he would not be seeking a third term as mayor.
Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune/AP
Buttigieg talks with a reporter in downtown South Bend in January 2019.
Buttigieg talks with a reporter in downtown South Bend in January 2019.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
Buttigieg speaks to reporters in Washington after announcing his presidential ambitions.
Buttigieg speaks to reporters in Washington after announcing his presidential ambitions.
Sarah Silbiger/The New York Times/Redux
Buttigieg speaks during the US Conference of Mayors in January 2019.
Buttigieg speaks during the US Conference of Mayors in January 2019.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Buttigieg speaks during a campaign stop in Ankeny, Iowa, in February 2019.
Buttigieg speaks during a campaign stop in Ankeny, Iowa, in February 2019.
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Buttigieg signs copies of his book "Shortest Way Home" in February 2019.
Buttigieg signs copies of his book "Shortest Way Home" in February 2019.
Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images
Buttigieg speaks on stage during the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, in March 2019.
Buttigieg speaks on stage during the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, in March 2019.
Hutton Supancic/Getty Images
Buttigieg answers questions from supporters during a fundraising event in West Hollywood, California, in March 2019.
Buttigieg answers questions from supporters during a fundraising event in West Hollywood, California, in March 2019.
Allison Zaucha/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden talk during a break in the first Democratic debates.
Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden talk during a break in the first Democratic debates.
Saul LoebAFP/Getty Images
Buttigieg takes part in CNN's Democratic debates in July 2019.
Buttigieg takes part in CNN's Democratic debates in July 2019.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Buttigieg announces the end of his presidential campaign at an event in South Bend, Indiana, in March 2020.
Buttigieg announces the end of his presidential campaign at an event in South Bend, Indiana, in March 2020.
Scott Olson/Getty Images