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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Texas mayor resigns over love, legality

Associated Press

SAN ANGELO, Texas – The mayor of a West Texas city abruptly resigned Wednesday, picking love over his love of office.

J.W. Lown told the San Angelo Standard-Times in a telephone interview from Mexico that he was in a relationship with a man who does not have legal status in the United States.

Lown, 32, said he didn’t want to take the oath of office for his fourth term knowing he was “aiding and assisting” someone who is not a U.S. citizen. He was to be sworn in Tuesday but did not show up for the ceremony.

“We had to do the right thing and come to Mexico and wait in line for a visa,” Lown said.

Lown, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Mexico, said he didn’t know how long it would take to obtain a visa for his partner. He said they would return to San Angelo if “the people of San Angelo will welcome me back.”

Lown, who has his own real estate company, said he’d made thousands of decisions as mayor and weighed the one to resign “in the same manner.”