Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pete Buttigieg cancels Florida fundraisers citing sickness

Candidate is hoping to raise millions in time for Super Tuesday

Andrew Naughtie
Wednesday 26 February 2020 09:04 EST
Comments
Pete Buttigieg warns against Bernie Sanders’ nomination

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has cancelled a string of events in Florida because of an illness.

A spokesman said Mr Buttigieg was sick with a cold. He will attend an event in South Carolina and meetings in Washington next week as planned.

Three of the Florida events were fundraisers, with Mr Buttigieg hoping to raise $13m for his campaign before the Super Tuesday primaries on 3 March.

Mr Buttigieg has been knocked by other candidates for accepting money from billionaires and for holding a California fundraiser in what his adversary Elizabeth Warren called a “wine cave”.

Florida may prove to be a crucial primary state when it votes on 17 February thanks to its large haul of delegates. However, Mr Buttigieg must first get through primaries in South Carolina, the Super Tuesday states and several others.

Mr Buttigieg scored two important results at the start of the primary process, claiming victory in the disputed Iowa caucuses and placing a close second after Bernie Sanders in the New Hampshire primary.

But he came a mediocre third in the Nevada caucuses and has yet to pull away from the rest of the candidates in national polls, where Mr Sanders is surging.

He has also been criticised for apparently plagiarising Barack Obama’s back catalogue of inspirational speeches.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in