Buttigieg Won't Seek 3rd Term As South Bend Mayor, Fueling 2020 Speculation

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg says he won't seek a third term, fueling speculation he may run for president in 2020.

Buttigieg announced Monday he won't seek re-election next year but he didn't reveal his future political plans .

He said he has been consulting with colleagues, friends and family about his decision.

“Through that consultation and that discernment, I know now that the time has come for me to prepare the city for new leadership again. And when my present term in office comes to a close a year and two weeks from now, at the end of 2019, I will not be seeking a third term as mayor,” Buttigieg said.

The 36-year-old gained national attention as he campaigned for Democratic National Committee chairman last year . He dropped out of that race just before voting started.

Buttigieg is scheduled to speak Saturday at an Iowa political dinner along with other potential Democratic presidential candidates. He also spoke at a Progress Iowa event last year.

Buttigieg is a Rhodes scholar who served in Afghanistan in 2014 as a Naval Reserve officer. He married his husband, Chasten Glezman, in June.

Asked Monday whether he'd comment about a possible presidential bid he replied "nope."

Tony Krabill of WVPE contributed to this report.