Mike Pence Responds to Gay Democratic Candidate Pete Buttigieg’s Comments About Homosexuality

Mike Pence responded to Pete Buttigieg’s recent verbal attacks against the vice president’s beliefs about homosexuality.

“He said some things that are critical of my Christian faith and about me personally. And he knows better. He knows me,” Pence told CNBC.

Buttigieg is vying for a shot at the Democratic primary for the 2020 presidential election. The gay mayor is married to his partner, Chasten Buttigieg.

Pense said that he believes Buttigieg’s comments come from trying to gain an advantage in the crowded primary.

“But I get it. You know, it’s look, again, 19 people running for president on that side in a party that’s sliding off to the left. And they’re all competing with one another for how much more liberal they are,” Pence said.

Pence was referring to Buttigieg’s comments over the weekend in which he called out the “Mike Pences” of the world who believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman.

“People often talk about things like marriage equality as a moral issue,” Buttigieg said during a campaign rally on Sunday. “And it is certainly a moral issue in my personal life. It’s a moral issue because being married to [my husband] Chasten has made me a better human being. It has made me more compassionate, more understanding, more self-aware and more decent. My marriage to Chasten has made me a better man. And yes, Mr. Vice President, it has moved me closer to God.”

Buttigieg continued: “That’s the thing that I wish the Mike Pences of the world would understand. … That if you have a problem with who I am, your problem is not with me. Your quarrel, sir, is with my Creator.”

As governor of Indiana, Pence said he and Buttigieg “worked very closely,” and “had a great working relationship.”

Despite cultural pressure to embrace homosexuality, Pence continues to stand on the Word of God.

“I have my Christian values. My family and I have a view of marriage that’s informed by our faith. And we stand by that. But that doesn’t mean that we’re critical of anyone else who has a different point of view,” Pence told CNBC.