Chairs and an American flag await the arrival of the public before a town hall event featuring former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Lanon Baccamspeaks with Rita Hart before a town hall event featuring former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Lanon Baccam speaks during a panel discussion ahead of remarks by before former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Audience members look on during a town hall event featuring former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Liz McDermott of LeClaire, Iowa looks on as Former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. McDermott, who caucused for Buttigieg in 2020, said she was at the event to hear “how we can continue to fight back” from Buttigieg. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Community members look on as former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Former Iowa Basketball player Ava Jones asks a question about funding for cancer research as former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg greets supporters following a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg greets former Iowa Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack following a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg greets Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart during a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)