Buttigieg launches SC ads focusing on his plan to support African American community
Hours after the Democratic presidential debate in Charleston, Pete Buttigieg’s campaign released two ads in South Carolina as part of a seven figure investment in the Palmetto State.
The ads, which aired on cable stations statewide and digitally in the Columbia and Charleston markets, focus on Buttigieg’s promise to support people of color and combat racism, specifically pointing to the former mayor’s proposed Douglass Plan, which is aimed at reforming the criminal justice system and establish equality in healthcare, among other things.
“Pete has an awesome economic plan for African Americans: Mayor Pete’s Douglass Plan,” the ad said. “He’s focusing on the things that matter in the African American community. Mayor Pete understands that the shadow of systemic racism that has to be addressed intentionally.”
Buttigieg has long struggled to reach black voters, an issue for his campaign in South Carolina, whose Democratic electorate is two-thirds African American.
In a recent Winthrop University poll, only 1% of African Americans polled voiced support for Buttigieg. Overall, Buttigieg received support from about 7% of polled voters.
The second ad featured South Bend community activist Gladys Muhammad, who has campaigned as a surrogate for Buttigieg in South Carolina.
The ad is a clip from a campaign event, in which Muhammad stood up to address an attendees concerns about Buttigieg’s record on race.
“He understands commitment. He has compassion,” Buttigieg said. “He has the Douglass Plan, that if we get behind, we can change this country.”
This story was originally published February 26, 2020 at 8:37 AM.
