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With 100% of the Iowa Caucus precincts reporting, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads by a narrow margin with 26.2 percent among Iowa State Delegate Equivalents, while Sanders is on his heels at 26.1 percent, a difference of 2 State Delegate Equivalents, reports CNN.
Buttigieg, receiving the news during a live CNN town hall in New Hampshire Thursday evening, said it was “fantastic news to hear that we won.”
“I want to say that Senator Sanders had a great night too, and I want to congratulate him and his supporters,” the former mayor added, acknowledging the virtual tie.
This is an extraordinary moment for the movement we’re building—the movement that will go on to New Hampshire and on to win the nomination. But only if we go together. If you’re with us, chip in: https://t.co/YdrnX2b5t3 pic.twitter.com/NrxskGlIhz
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 7, 2020
When asked about the party’s decision to recanvass amid reports of technical difficulties during the Iowa caucuses — including reports of precinct captains not following the rules for counting votes, an iPhone app that failed in its job to collect votes from those who couldn’t attend the caucuses and assurances from the Iowa Democratic Party the delay was the result of a “quality check” — Buttigieg said he would leave it up to the party.
“Whatever they need to do in order to make sure that the information is clear and verified,” Buttigieg responded.
Annise Parker, CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which has endorsed Buttigieg, celebrated the historic moment earlier this week.
“The messy Iowa reporting process should not distract anyone from the historic moment that played out last night,” Parker said. “Pete – running against 10 opponents including some of the best-known names in American politics – overcame the obstacles and the odds to land in one of the top spots, if not the top spot, in the Iowa caucuses. It is an incredible achievement for an openly gay candidate and speaks to his ability to build a broad coalition among voters in cities, suburbs and rural areas. It forever changes how the media, pundits and voters view the electability of openly LGBTQ candidates.”
Parker also expressed disappointment the results took away from Buttigieg’s speech on Tuesday night, which she called “the most powerful speech I’ve heard during this campaign season.”
“It was a speech that would have captured the minds of Americans and secured days of headlines, but instead we are talking apps and ‘quality control,’” Parker said. “Fortunately, the results will come, Pete will get the post-Iowa bump he deserves, and he will head into New Hampshire a favorite. There is now no question we are on a journey to elect the first openly gay president of the United States – and that is astounding.”
If Buttigieg maintains his narrow SDE lead over Sanders, he would become the first openly gay person to win a state primary contest for a major party nomination. Buttigieg will also become the first openly gay candidate to earn presidential primary delegates.
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