UNPRECEDENTED FIRSTS

Santa Fe Elects First Openly Gay Mayor In Race Between Two Openly Gay Candidates

javiergonzalesThe city of Santa Fe, New Mexico elected its first gay mayor this week.

Javier Gonzales, a 47-year-old vice president of a commercial real estate firm, took 43 percent of the vote over two opponents — one of which was another openly gay candidate, Patti Bushee. Gonzales was reportedly the favored candidate with several decades’ worth of business and political contacts rooting for his victory.

The Santa Fe New Mexcian reports Gonzales “was greeted by a mob of cheering supporters” as he entered his victory party Tuesday night. “This campaign was never about me,” he said. “It was about us.”

SFNM reports:

“I stand before you humbled. I stand you before standing on the shoulders of people like Mayor Coss and my father and so many who have been before in this position to say that I am ready to accept the responsibility and the honor of being your mayor,” he said, referring to outgoing Mayor David Coss and his father, former Mayor George Gonzales.

Gonzales led in all four of the city’s council districts, including the north-side district that Bushee has represented for the past 20 years as a city councilor. Fewer than 1 in 5 voters supported Bushee in the south and southwest council districts. Throughout the campaign, Bushee emphasized reprioritizing resources to the south side.

What’s more, Gonzales will preside over a City Council that includes two openly gay women, fellow mayoral candidate Patti Bushee and the newly-elected Signe Lindell.

Something tells us Santa Fe is about to have the best four years in its history.

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