SANTA FE, N.M. — Javier Gonzales was elected Mayor of Santa Fe in a three-way race on Tuesday, becoming the city’s first ever openly gay mayor.
Gonzales captured more than 43 percent of the vote and will preside over a city council on which two of the eight members are openly gay women — mayoral opponent Patti Bushee and newly elected member Signe Lindell, reports the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Gonzales, 47, is a former state Democratic Party chair, former Santa Fe County Commissioner and vice president of a commercial real estate firm.
Gonzales had support from big-name Democrats, from former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman to former CIA operative Valerie Plame, as well as a number of endorsements, including the Sierra Club and 10 current or former city councilors, including Coss.
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Gonzales came out publicly last August on the same day that Doña Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
He also wrote about his marriage, his two daughters with his former wife and details about coming out to his parents, friends and children, who, he said, all accepted him.
