Jenny Rowan, who today became mayor of the Kapiti Coast district, says she's been a mayor before, but this is the first time she's been elected since she came out as a lesbian. Jenny Rowan The 9,222 votes for Rowan numbered 2,000 more than for her nearest rival for the region's top job, with a voter turnout of 54% - slightly higher than last elections. "It's all looking good," she told GayNZ.com tonight, speaking from St Peters hall in Paekakriki, where her campaign team, family, friends and other community supporters are celebrating. A previous Commissioner in the Environment Court, Rowan has been involved with local government in Taranaki for twelve years - she was the Mayor of Inglewood from 1986 to 1989, and came out as a lesbian during that time. "So this is the second time I've been in public office," she says. "The difference is that this time I was elected as an out lesbian." Rowan says her sexual orientation only became an issue once during her campaign, when the local newspaper referred to it - but she says "I didn't engage with that." Instead, she stuck to her campaign messages about transport, the local economy, healthcare and climate change. The Kapiti Coast, 40 minutes drive north of Wellington, is home to several coastal walking tracks and nature reserves. The region has seen a significant population surge recently and become one of New Zealand's fastest growing areas. "I'd like Kapiti to be a safe, friendly and creative place to live," says the new mayor. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 13th October 2007 - 7:22pm