Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 19:14:39 -0700
From: globall@newmexico.com (Gloria Nieto)
Subject: NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact: Gloria Nieto  505.438.3103

On Tuesday, March 5, 1996, Patti Bushee, an out lesbian, was elected to a
full term as a Santa Fe City Councilor.  Ms. Bushee won with an astounding
62% majority in a four person race.  She has been the representative for
District 1 in Santa Fe, a predominantly Hispanic area, for the past two
years.  She was appointed to the position by current Mayor Debbie Jaramillo
to complete her tenure when Jaramillo was elected as mayor.

In recent weeks preceding the election, the Mayor had become very
displeased with Patti's criticism of the appointment of her brother-in-law
as the Chief of Police.  The new chief was appointed by Mayor Jaramillo's
brother Isaac Pino, who is the City Manager.  Mayor Jaramillo referred to
Patti, among others, as "political prostitutes" for their criticisms.

Patti had been endorsed by a wide range of groups in Santa Fe.  This
included the Human Rights Election Fund, the statewide gay and lesbian PAC,
both the police and firefighter unions, all the newspapers, the Sierra
Club, and the homebuilder's association.

At her victory party, campaign Todd McElroy extolled her win as "a great
victory for the gay and lesbian community."  Interestingly enough, the "L"
word never came up during the campaign, not in public at least.

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