In these challenging times, when hardened ideologies have all but stopped practical solutions in Washington, D.C., we need a collaborative leader with on-the-ground experience addressing everyday problems.
For me, that leader is Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and that’s why I’m supporting his candidacy for president.
In my 14 years as mayor of Everett, I learned what it takes to deal with the range and volume of difficult decisions that a public executive faces on a daily basis. Mayor Pete demonstrated his executive skills over eight years leading South Bend, Ind., with the ability to bring together a community that was splintered — economically and culturally — through shared values and common vision. I see in Mayor Pete the type of transformational leader that our country needs at this fractured moment in our history.
Mayor Pete approaches challenges as a listener. He works collaboratively across party lines, levels of government and public and private sectors. That is a skill set that tends to be unique to public executives and isn’t shared by all members of Congress, which includes many of Mayor Pete’s current opponents.
I’ve see him take on tough issues, never ducking questions. As a fellow veteran, I appreciate that Mayor Pete knows first-hand the risks and sacrifices our service members make. I would relish seeing an Afghanistan war veteran who has been under fire on the debate stage taking the fight to President Trump, a man who dodged the draft with “bone spurs.” I urge you to join me by casting your ballot for Mayor Pete Buttigieg when our Washington primary ballots arrive on Feb. 21.
Ray Stephanson
Everett
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