The undoubted surprise package in the election for US Democratic Presidential nominee, Pete Buttigieg has continued on his never-ending media tour with a feature and cover story in celebrated publication Time Magazine.

The Iowa-born man with a Maltese father has surged in the polls in recent weeks, placing third just behind ever-popular Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden.

In an intimate portrait, the feature covers all the basics currently forming part of ‘Mayor Pete’s’ “unlikely, untested, and unprecedented” meteoric rise. From his status as the first openly-gay man to run for the highest office in the country, to his standing as what consider a complete opposite to current President Donald Trump.

“In many ways, Buttigieg is Trump’s polar opposite: younger, dorkier, shorter, calmer and married to a man,” the feature reads

While currently critics point to Buttigieg’s lack of concrete policy and the Time article correctly notes, the feature is quick to praise his abilities namely his impressive lingustic ability (he can speak 8 languages) and his skill in thrilling liberals, but also rallying opponents.

With the democratic primaries just under a year a way, can ‘Pete’ keep the media bandwagon rolling to translate his growing popularity into a genuine challenge for America’s top post?

You can read the full feature over here.

Featured Image Background Photo from Buttigieg’s presidential campaign announcement by Elliot Ross for TIME

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Julian Bonnici

Julian is the former editor of Lovin Malta and has a particular interest in politics, the environment, social issues, and human interest stories.