Chasten Buttigieg reveals what made him match on Hinge with husband Pete
Chasten Buttigieg with husband and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg. (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Chasten Buttigieg has revealed what first attracted him to husband and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg when they connected on a dating app.
The couple met on the dating app Hinge in 2015, and got married during Pride month in 2018.
In the first instalment of an ABC series titled Running Mates, which will interview the partners and spouses of presidential candidates, Chasten described seeing Pete for the first time on the app.
The former high school drama teacher said: “I won’t lie, it was the picture of him in the military, I’ll tell the truth. And I fell hard and fast for Pete.”
Asked what made him fall in love with his now-husband, Chasten said: “His heart. He made me feel so loved, right away.”
Pete and Chasten Buttigieg were married for less than a year when the the South Bend, Indiana, mayor announced that he was running for president.
Chasten continued: “I mean, there’s no denying it’s hard. But it is a sacrifice that’s worth making.
“Because I have seen Peter go out there and change people’s lives, save people’s lives because of the visibility of this campaign.
“And because of the message that he’s offering the American people, message of hope and inclusion and belonging, so I’m very proud to share him with the rest of the country.”
He added that Pete always makes sure to let him know how loved he is, despite their hectic schedules and spending so much time apart.
The potential First Gentleman said: “He’s really good at that. He’s really good at taking the time to write out a little poem or a little letter.”
During the ABC interview, Chasten also addressed comments about his marriage by conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who said that “America is still not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband”.
He responded: “I’ve been dealing with this my whole life. I dealt with a multitude of Rush Limbaughs when I was walking through the hallways of my high school.
“Pete is ready to go toe to toe with this president and Pete can take on the likes of Rush Limbaugh.
“But I’m more worried about the kids. And more worried about the people in this country who are watching how we treat this candidate.”
