Buttigieg Rallies for Dem Candidate, Focusing on Trump Referendum

Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation, rallied with Democratic candidate Cait Conley in Tarrytown, New York, on Wednesday, positioning the upcoming election as a direct referendum on former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party's control of federal government.

Speaking to a crowd of approximately 500 people at the Tarrytown Music Hall, Buttigieg, who previously ran for president in 2020, emphasized the need to alter the current political landscape. The rally, lasting nearly an hour, centered on the goal of flipping the House of Representatives in November to counter what was described as a Republican monopoly on federal power.

"Our political system is broken, now it’s time to start acting like it isn’t," Buttigieg stated. He also made a pointed remark about Trump's "drain the swamp" slogan, questioning its efficacy. The rally saw some attendees chanting "lock 'em up" in response to discussions about Trump and Republicans, a sentiment that echoed a chant previously directed at Hillary Clinton.

Conley, a West Point graduate and former Pentagon official under the Biden administration, characterized the upcoming midterm elections as an existential fight against Trump. She highlighted concerns regarding Republican efforts to reduce funding for New York's expanded Medicaid eligibility, tariffs, and foreign policy.

"These are not normal times, these are not normal stakes," Conley said. "Corrupt politicians are selling us out to billionaires and corporations and special interests."

The campaign for Representative Mike Lawler, the Republican incumbent Conley is challenging, criticized Buttigieg's involvement. Lawler's spokesperson, Ciro Riccardi, pointed to Buttigieg's role in approving New York City's congestion pricing plan. Riccardi stated, "Pete Buttigieg is a failed Presidential candidate who forced the Transportation Department to sign off on New York City’s congestion pricing scheme." He added that Conley should explain to essential workers why she is campaigning with someone who allegedly increased their taxes.

Buttigieg also highlighted Conley's qualifications, including her cybersecurity expertise and military service, making a lighthearted remark about her joining the Navy, which he described as the "second best branch."

Despite both Buttigieg and Conley having served in the Biden administration, neither mentioned the current president by name during the rally. Instead, their focus remained on mobilizing supporters against Trump and securing a Democratic majority in the House.