Citizens of the central Texas city San Angelo were shocked to hear the resignation for their mayor, J.W. Lown, yesterday- only ten days after being reelected to a fourth term.

Lown said made his decision in order to pursue a relationship with a non-citizen in Mexico, where he is currently residing. The ex-mayor will return to the United States once his partner, who has been kept anonymous, obtains a visa.

“I made the final decision when I knew it was the right decision to make for me and my partner and our future — and for the community,” Lown said.

In poll on GoSanAngelo.com, the city newspaper’s website, 69% of respondents rated his performance as “excellent.” Another 13% rated him as “good,” while only 7% said he was “poor.” In the recent election, he received 89% of the vote.

In a letter to City Manager Harold Dominguez, Lown announced his resignation:

While I know that the timing of this announcement is less than ideal, I have my own compelling reasons for making this decision. I have made thousands of decisions on behalf of our community, and I weighed this decision in the same manner that I approached other decisions.

Lown’s position paid $600 a year. He is the owner of Lown Properties, a real estate agency in San Angelo. He was the city’s youngest mayor on record when first elected six years ago at the age of 26.

Photo: Flickr