The perception commonly held of these individuals is often fraught with a past of aggressive political stances, high-profile mayoral campaigns, and political affiliations. The average citizen looks to a politician, rather than someone from a long-standing career in politics, as the eligible candidate to take office as the city’s mayor.
Enter Mayor Oscar Leeser, El Paso’s incumbent mayor and the antithesis of the typical mayoral trajectory. As the 53rd mayor of our Sun City, the decision to run for mayor did not come easily for him, or his family. A leader in the automotive industry, Oscar Leeser made great strides as President of Hyundai of El Paso, taking the dealership to the top as one of the most successful car dealers in not only our city, but in the nation, overall. This was not your typical politician. A native of Mexico who immigrated with his family to the U.S. at age 9, he was also the very first mayor in El Paso’s history who originated from anywhere other than the U.S.
March 2013, at 2:30 pm, Mayor Leeser remembers arriving at Hall City with his wife, recalling that the looming deadline of 5 pm would finally force the couple to make a decision. They knew that this year would mark a significant milestone, as they considered running for mayor before the 2013 election. Mayor Leeser states that this decision would undoubtedly impact both their public and private lives, so they carefully discussed every possible angle. With 30 years of partnership, Mayor Leeser and his wife Lisa knew that running for mayor in 2013 was a life-altering choice that required thorough contemplation. They were actually in the process of kicking off their campaign, discussing how they would later fill out the necessary paperwork.
All joking aside, the couple had talked long and hard about how running for office would impact not only their own lives, but that of their children’s. They pressed through difficult moments, nervously contemplating the life-altering decision up through the filing deadline that Friday. “You decide to run for office, you decide that you’re going to be the public official, that you’re going to be out there and you’re prepared, but your wife and kids aren’t,” said the mayor. Yet, the best interests of the community selflessly prevailed and during his very first press conference at 5 p.m. that day, Oscar Leeser detailed an agenda for creating jobs, lowering unemployment and representing the community in its entirety. He says, “It always seemed to frustrate me that we always seem to ask 100 percent of the people to pay taxes, but some of the decisions made are for five percent of the people and that’s not correct.”
I wanted to have the ability to afford and give back, and I feel very lucky for all the right reasons. I didn’t want anything and I wanted to do all this for the right reasons. He also turned down the gas allowance provided to him as an employee of the city. From the beginning, Lady Leeser selected a worthwhile charity every month as part of her commitment. Mayor Leeser has admirably donated 100 percent of his salary since the beginning, referring to it as their Care to Commitment Fund during their inaugural ceremony. Initially, it was not apparent that it was a campaign, as the decision was kept quiet. During those early discussions in the office, Mayor Leeser voluntarily chose to donate his salary to a charity, which most people don’t realize. Upon taking office, he represented exactly what the people wanted, 100 percent.
In an effort to invest in and attract the interest of companies approaching our community, the mayor of Juárez and he closely worked together to help expand and strengthen our shared border. In fact, we knew that in order to tear down walls, we needed to create a great working relationship between Mexico and Juárez, and El Paso. One of the biggest things I wanted to do, Mayor Leeser says, was to create a thriving economy. As the only mayor elected in El Paso who wasn’t born in the U.S., This was one of the things I wanted to accomplish the most.
The mayor of our city is credited with the improvement in our economy, as he provided the right incentives to ultimately spur growth and attract companies. In May, the unemployment rate dropped to a low of 4.1 percent, which can be attributed to the invaluable incentives he offered. When Mayor Leeser took office in June, the unemployment rate was at a high of 9.0 percent. Although he did not initially have a strong platform for job creation, he proved that he could create jobs by bringing companies to El Paso, which was one of his stated goals as mayor.
“And assisted in establishing valuable alliances… Witness our climate, encounter our residents,” he actively endeavored to extend invitations to corporate executives to explore our municipality. Despite El Paso being among the most secure cities, boasting exceptional weather and captivating culture, he further remarks, “We were never considered noteworthy by anyone.” In my perspective, they harbored the sentiment that securing re-election seemed implausible, prompting apprehension in attracting businesses and providing incentives. Had we embarked on this endeavor two decades ago, our present discourse would be unnecessary; however, presently we are forging a prosperous future for El Paso,” he elucidates.
Regardless of an implied or future ballot, Mayor Leeser achieved precisely what he intended to achieve. His rationale was straightforward: he was aware that he would not seek re-election. “I desired to assert that I accomplished the actions that were most beneficial for the community. I aspired to forge a path for the future. I aimed to carry out the morally correct course of action.”
Your decision is final. It is important to consider all the perspectives and facts before making a decision, and not rush into it based on past experiences. It is crucial to always prioritize the interests of the people who voted for you and trust that you will make the best decision for the majority, even if it may not always align with what we initially think is best. We must be willing to listen and take into account the opinions of others, as this can lead to change and growth. As the Mayor of El Paso, it is essential to maintain sincerity and authenticity in one’s approach to their responsibilities. Seeking guidance from those who have come before you is also valuable to ensure a successful tenure.
Mayor Leeser references Henry Ford’s quote, “Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re correct,” in response to being asked for a preferred quote. Significantly, his main aspiration for the new mayor is evident: “Sustain the development of value in our community and attract advocates to our city…Persist in aiding our small businesses,” all in order to promote the future advancement of our city. He emphasizes that he did not have the majority or special interest groups in mind. “I entered public office to make a difference…And I will continue to lead that life.” Regarding our mayor’s lasting impact, he states, “That I represented every single individual.”
Another term for running for Mayor is “Leeser”. There are many who would love to see him today. It’s easy to see why, as he is genuinely adored for his approachability and lovable persona. Our Editor-in-Chief, Mozelle Shelley, describes our mayor eloquently as the best. We are lucky to have had four years of his life dedicated to doing great things for this city. You cannot buy the honor and integrity that he possesses. He is a true public servant, and that is what defines him for me.
He was correct in his thinking, as Mayor Leeser ultimately demonstrated. Together, they decisively achieved what they set out to do, as Mayor Leeser embarked on a thoughtful journey. We can certainly pay tribute to him for his wholehearted and selfless service to our great city, The Sun. However, we may never have the opportunity to vote for another person like Oscar Leeser, who possesses the most noble of hearts.