Burlington, Ia- Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg made a stop on the campaign trail in Burlington just two weeks before the Iowa caucuses.
With a packed auditorium in Aldo Leopold Middle School, Congressman Dave Loebsack brought Buttigieg to the stage, stating why he gave Buttigieg his endorsement prior to his exit from the Iowa senate, deciding not to seek re-election.
Buttigieg then took the stage and gave a speech stating how and why he feels he is the best choice for a democratic party opponent to President Trump in the upcoming election, then took questions from the crowd on various issues, ranging from drug prices to climate change.
One person asked Buttigieg, in light of the recent events in the Burlington area involving people who were not mentally well, what he would do as president to increase availability for mental health aid. Buttigieg stated that,
“This is such an urgent crisis and I’m sorry to hear that it’s touched your community. You know they still talk about it like it’s just happening to a few people off in the corner, but it’s not. So we can stop talking about this like its something that’s just happening off to the side.” Buttigieg said. “We have to be ready to talk about this as openly and energetically as any issue, it should be as normal to talk about a struggle with bipolar disorder or an addiction, as it is to talk about having knee surgery or a battle with cancer. It starts by changing the culture and breaking the silence with these issues, and then we need resources which of course means money.”
Buttigieg will continue on the campaign trail through southeast Iowa for the remainder of the week. The Iowa Caucuses begin on Monday, February 3rd.
