Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Response: Mayor Ron Gonzales called a press conference Sept. 7 to disclose that he had been involved with a staffer.
Gonzales admits to relationship with staffer
Mayor calls affair with community outreach specialist a 'serious mistake'
By Chantal Lamers
San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales put an end to public speculation that he was romantically involved with 25-year-old mayoral aide Guisselle Nuñez last week, and admitted to the relationship.
"I have made a serious mistake," Gonzales said at a press conference on Sept. 7, held in his office. "I'm here to acknowledge I had a relationship with a member of my staff. The relationship is wrong and I'm sorry for that."
Gonzales said the relationship with Nuñez , who worked on his campaign for mayor in 1998, began a few months before he left his wife Alvina. About three months ago, Gonzales, 49, separated from his wife of 22 years.
Gonzales said that when the relationship became public, the two "made a decision, mutually, to cease the relationship."
Dave Vossbrink, Gonzales' communications director, said Gonzales intends to continue serving as mayor and also plans to run for a second term. Vossbrink said the mayor didn't decide to admit the relationship for political reasons. He said the mayor held the press conference to acknowledge what he has done was wrong.
The mayor called the hastily-arranged press conference just hours after the publication of a story in Metro that suggested the mayor had planned to spend a weekend at a Mendocino County vacation spot with Nuñez.
The mayor said it is difficult to talk to the public about his relationship with Nuñez .
Early in August, Alvina Gonzales filed for divorce. "Divorce papers have been filed and served," he said. Gonzales added that the divorce should be finalized early next year and, at the time, didn't know if Alvina was aware of his relationship with Nuñez .
The mayor wasn't specific, but said the relationship with Nuñez had gone on for a few months. Nuñez , a graduate of Santa Clara University, is the mayor's community outreach specialist.
Gonzales said that Nuñez is still working in the office. Whether she continues to work there is her decision, he said.
The mayor apologized to his family, friends, staff and members of the community that may have been hurt by the relationship he calls "a mistake." The mayor says members of his staff did not confront him about the relationship with Nuñez .
He says the relationship was a mistake because Nuñez is a member of his staff. Though he didn't specify when they decided to end the relationship, he said they've spoken about it on a number of occasions.
The relationship came to light during a rough time for Gonzales. The mayor has been working diligently with city, county and state officials to find a way to bring BART to San Jose.
But Gonzales said he's looking forward to continuing his job as mayor and hasn't considered resigning from his position. He said he plans on rebuilding his relationship with his family, staff and residents of San Jose.
"Relationships are built over a period of time," he said.
The mayor doesn't anticipate that the relationship will cripple his career. He said he has great friends in public service and around town, and says he hopes they will support him through this ordeal.
Gonzales received his start in elected office when he ran unopposed for Sunnyvale City Council in 1979. In 1988, Gonzales successfully ran for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and served two four-year terms. He was elected mayor of San Jose in 1998.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
