Bruno Lozano
Bruno "Ralphy" Lozano is an American politician and the mayor of Del Rio, Texas.
Early life
Lozano was born in Del Rio in the early 1980s.[1] He served as a former security forces patrolman in the U.S. military. During his time with the US Air Force, he was tasked with enforcing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, notifying gay service members of their discharge. As a result, Lozano, who is gay, said he chose not to reenlist.[1] He worked as a flight attendant thereafter.[2]
Political career
Lozano was already known in his town for his effort to clean up waterways.[3] According to Lozano, however, he only decided to enter political life in 2016, pressed by his former high school classmates during a class reunion party.[1] He was critical of the town hall's economic policies, which he says left the local economy stagnant and dependent on the US military for employment even as neighboring cities boomed. He called on Millennial voters to break Baby Boomers' hold on local political power.[1]
A Democrat,[4] he ran against incumbent mayor Robert Garza on a May 5th, 2018 election, and won in a landslide, receiving 62% of the votes. A later recount confirmed the result.[5]
His victory received attention in The Huffington Post and the national LGBT press, which highlighted both his military career and his flamboyant image.[6][7]
References
- ^ a b c d "A Gay Man in Heels Will Be the Next Mayor of a Texas Border Town". Into More. 30 April 2018.
- ^ "After Landslide Victory, Del Rio's First Openly Gay Mayor Prepares For Office". Into More. 9 May 2018.
- ^ "Gay, high heel wearing veteran elected mayor in Texas". Connecting Vets. 12 June 2018.
- ^ "He's A Veteran. He's Gay. He Likes To Wear Heels. Now Ralphy Lozano Is Mayor Of This Texas Town". Logo News. 10 May 2018.
- ^ "Recount affirms election results". Del Rio News Herald. 31 May 2018.
- ^ "Texas Town Elects Gay Air Force Veteran Known For Wearing High Heels". The Huffington Post. 5 May 2018.
- ^ "This Gay Veteran Who Wears Heels Just Won a Mayor's Race in Texas". Out magazine. 7 May 2018.