Texas Mayor Runs to Mexico with Lover

[Surlethe]

WSJ

J.W. Lown, the mayor of San Angelo in West Texas, recently narrated a video touting his town as a great place to live. Then he left to pursue another passion.

Mr. Lown resigned this week -- less than a month after winning a fourth two-year term in a landslide -- saying he was leaving to carry on a relationship with a Mexican man who had been living illegally in the U.S.

Mr. Lown, 32 years old, sent the city manager a text message just hours before he was due to be sworn into office Tuesday that said he wouldn't be at the ceremony. He'd moved to Mexico, leaving behind a short letter of resignation on his desk.

In a brief email exchange Thursday, Mr. Lown said, "Things are very hectic." He declined other questions.

Mr. Lown told local media his partner came to the U.S. five years ago and their relationship began in March.

With his partner unable to legally remain in the U.S., the mayor said he realized around election day -- May 9 -- that he faced a choice: betray his duty to abide by the law by helping the man hide from immigration authorities; end the relationship, or join him in Mexico. He chose Mexico.

Mr. Lown's colleagues and constituents have rallied around him. Some said they hadn't known he was gay. Others were surprised he got involved with an illegal immigrant. Neither issue drew widespread censure or disapproval.

"In this neck of the woods," said Councilman Johnny Silvas, "people are accepting."

San Angelo, with a population of about 90,000, is northwest of Austin, not close to the U.S.-Mexico border. But all across Texas, residents have business and personal relationships with Mexican immigrants, legal and illegal. Mr. Lown's family has roots in Mexico, and he has holds dual nationality.

The mayoral post is a part-time and pays just $600 a year. But Mr. Lown has thrown himself into the job. He pushed to rebuild aging water and sewer lines and attended hundreds of community events. He won nearly 90% of the vote in a three-candidate race, and his Web site said he had "high hopes" for making San Angelo "the pride of West Texas."

His constituents want him back. Councilwoman Charlotte Farmer said she had been besieged by voters asking her to urge the mayor to resume his duties if he can resolve his partner's immigration status. "They love our mayor," Ms. Farmer said. "Quite frankly, so do I."
—Ana Campoy contributed to this article.

One would have expected a mayor coming out of the closet to be received a lot less well in Western Texas.

[The Spartan]

I have to admit I'm surprised, too. That's not an area known for it's diversity. It's four hours northwest of Austin, our "liberal" city and west of Brownwood a quite conservative, large town that I'm familiar with so I would have expected shock and anger at his homosexuality and, perhaps even more so, for his relationship with an illegal immigrant.

[General Zod]

I have to admit I'm surprised, too. That's not an area known for it's diversity. It's four hours northwest of Austin, our "liberal" city and west of Brownwood a quite conservative, large town that I'm familiar with so I would have expected shock and anger at his homosexuality and, perhaps even more so, for his relationship with an illegal immigrant.

Well, he did just win his fourth term. It's possible that people are just more accepting of someone who's popular that they like than some random schmoe on the street.

[The Spartan]

Well, he did just win his fourth term. It's possible that people are just more accepting of someone who's popular that they like than some random schmoe on the street.

And they could have just as easily been angered at being "fooled", perhaps more so given the area and the general attitudes towards homosexuality.

[Prannon]

I went to University in Brownwood and I've been all over that area, and I have to say that I'm surprised that Mr. Lown isn't being dragged through the mud myself. However, I think this can be understood. Texas political culture doesn't favor much competition in local elections. A lot of people run for various offices unopposed, and once in office, tend to remain there for years, if not decades. I recall that Brownwood's mayor has been in that town's politics since the 70s, to say nothing about its city council and other positions. Essentially, they earn the trust of the locals, and barring death, retirement, or some incredibly controversial scandal, they remain in office indefinitely.

Mr. Lown just won his fourth term, so he's well known to the community. Although it's odd that this isn't scandalous enough to destroy his popularity, it's not inconceivable.

Personally, I'm disgusted by this behavior. The man should have known that he had a responsibility to his office when he was elected. Leaving for Mexico and abandoning your office for a love interest just hours before your inauguration does not bode well for one's professionalism in my eyes.

[hongi]

Personally, I'm disgusted by this behavior. The man should have known that he had a responsibility to his office when he was elected. Leaving for Mexico and abandoning your office for a love interest just hours before your inauguration does not bode well for one's professionalism in my eyes.

Really? I'm quite happy that he showed enough professionalism to resign and not carry on a secret affair with someone he knows is breaking the law. Pursuing love and all that jazz.

[HamsterViking]

Holy shit! I never would have expectd this from Texas, and I'm the guy who's been defending the few outposts of reason in this sea of conservatism.

[Lusankya]

Personally, I'm disgusted by this behavior. The man should have known that he had a responsibility to his office when he was elected. Leaving for Mexico and abandoning your office for a love interest just hours before your inauguration does not bode well for one's professionalism in my eyes.

Really? I'm quite happy that he showed enough professionalism to resign and not carry on a secret affair with someone he knows is breaking the law. Pursuing love and all that jazz.

He also didn't really have enough time to get out of the situation much earlier, what with the relationship beginning in March and the election being in May. That's about the time it might change for the relationship to change from "fling" to "serious". I think it's sweet.