Buttigieg Joins Ford at Las Vegas Business to Discuss Affordability
Aaron Ford, Pete Buttigieg discuss business costs, transportation, and affordability with Nevadans preparing to vote this fall.
By Victoria Saha
Published: Oct. 8, 2026 at 9:41 PM GMT+2 | Updated: 9 hours ago
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevadans are gearing up for the fall elections as campaign activity intensifies among candidates.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford visited a small business in East Las Vegas earlier this week to understand the challenges it faces. Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, joined him.
The business, La Flor Michoacan ice cream, is owned by Julio Cesar Chavez’s father.
FOX5's Victoria Saha interviewed Buttigieg about the visit.
Small Business Struggles
Buttigieg emphasized the importance of hearing directly from small business owners about their rising costs.
"We heard directly from the owners of this business they talked about how their costs are higher from Trump’s tariffs they talked about customers feeling pressure that makes it harder for them to come in and enjoy the ice cream and food here,” he said.
Buttigieg noted that the owners expressed uncertainty about starting their business in the current economic climate.
"The thing that really stuck with me is the owners saying they aren’t sure if they started in the economy today they aren’t sure if they would have been able to start this business in this economy," he said.
Chavez and his father, the shop’s owner, confirmed that rising costs have put pressure on their business.
"Whatever goes up in price we try to keep it economical for our customers so they don’t feel too pressured," Chavez said.
His father added, "Either you go not too high on prices temporarily and you keep maintaining your customers."
Transportation Priorities
Saha asked Buttigieg, who led the U.S. Department of Transportation, about the most pressing transportation issues for Nevadans.
"What I learned is we were working together to deliver transportation is how important it is for people's lives. Whether it’s making sure folks can get to work on time, or making sure they can get their kids to school safely, or making sure that folks can travel across the state comfortably and efficiently," he said.