MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Pete Buttigieg made history in April last year when he announced what seemed like an unlikely White House bid as the first openly gay presidential candidate.

After edging out Bernie Sanders in Iowa and coming a close second to the Vermont senator in New Hampshire, the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor’s campaign has lost its “long shot” qualifier. But voters from across the nation are still quietly voicing concern over whether the country is ready for its first out commander in chief.