Openly gay mayor Peter Buttigieg has announced he will be running for president in 2020.

Buttigieg, currently mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced on Wednesday (22 January) that he is forming an exploratory committee to run for president for the Democratic Party.

He says his campaign will focus on ‘intergenerational justice’.

‘My generation is the generation that experienced school shootings beginning when I was in high school, the generation that fought in the post 9/11 wars, the first generation not to be better off than our parents materially – if nothing changes.’

He also appears to take a swipe at President Donald Trump’s mantra, Make America Great Again.

He adds: ‘There is no again the real world. We can’t look for greatness in the past. Right now our country needs a fresh start.

‘There’s a new generation of voices emerging in our country, walking away from the politics of the past and ready to deliver on our priorities. There is no again in the real world. That’s not a bad thing. We’re ready for a fresh start.’

The 37-year-old is the joint youngest candidate to enter the race, alongside Representative Tulsi Gabbard. He is a veteran of the Navy and is married to his husband Chasten.

Buttieg was elected mayor in 2011 at the age of 29, making him the youngest person ever to serve as mayor of South Bend.

In 2017, he ran for Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairman, but was unsuccessful.

Other Democrats who have expressed intent or formed exploratory committees include Senator Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gilibrand and Kamala Harris.