Raúl Ureña, a 26-year-old mayor of Calexico, California, was elected to office with 70% of the vote in 2020. Following her re-election victory in 2022, she came out as transgender and gender fluid. Ureña, who accepts all pronouns with a preference for “she,” made a noticeable transformation in her appearance, wearing low-cut dresses that showed off her still-hairy chest. This change in presentation garnered attention, but also sparked backlash as crime and homelessness became significant issues in the border town.
Despite facing criticism for the growing issues of homelessness and crime in Calexico, Mayor Ureña is now facing a recall vote. Supporters of the recall claim that Ureña has shown poor leadership and has engaged in indecent behavior and intoxication, as well as disregarding accountability for families with children. The recall petition also mentions Ureña’s openness about her gender identity as a point of contention. Ureña, however, attributes the recall effort to transphobia and believes that her detractors are using her gender identity against her.
The recall effort was initiated by Rebecca Lemon, who was caught on video yelling transphobic remarks at Ureña’s father. Ureña believes Lemon’s actions were illegal and disrespectful, calling her a bully. Ureña does not shy away from addressing the transphobic comments and criticisms she faces, standing firm in her identity. Councilman Gilberto Manzanarez, a key ally of the mayor, also believes that the recall vote is fueled by transphobia and intolerance within the socially conservative town of Calexico. However, former Mayor Maritz Hurtado, who is leading the campaign to oust Ureña and Manzanarez, argues that the recall supporters simply want accountability for the city’s issues.
Hurtado claims that Ureña and Manzanarez have neglected to address the growing problems of crime and homelessness in downtown Calexico, resulting in businesses losing customers and a disrespectful attitude towards law enforcement. She accuses the current mayor and councilman of dismissing the concerns of business leaders and being unsupportive of the police force. Ureña, on the other hand, accuses Hurtado of being responsible for the city’s longstanding problems and argues that her administration has been challenging the status quo and established interests in the city.
The recall vote in Calexico has become a battleground between those who support Mayor Ureña and Councilman Manzanarez and those who are pushing for change. Supporters of the recall believe that the current administration has failed to address critical issues facing the city, while Ureña and her allies claim that the recall effort is driven by transphobia and personal attacks. As the recall vote approaches, tensions in Calexico remain high, highlighting the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in positions of power and the complexities of governing a city with diverse opinions and interests.
