Onion freeJ.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.
Seriously, this whole thing is just so bizzarely random.
