(Guadalajara, Mexico) Miguel Antonio Galan has become the first openly gay politician to run for mayor of a major Mexican City.

Guadalajara elects a new government on July 5.

The city of more than three-million people is considered among the country’s most traditional areas with conservatives usually winning election.  Observers say Galan is unlikely to gain more than three-percent of the vote.

The area is best known for the manufacture of tequila and its numerous mariachi bands.

In a recent interview, Galan told the Efe news service that he wants to play down his sexuality in the campaign and focus on greater social issues.

“Proposals have to be made, beyond what the candidate’s [bedroom activities] are,” he told Efe.

Although Galan is the first openly gay person to run for mayor in Mexico, there have been serveral LGBT people who sought state and federal office.

Among them are Enoe Uranga of the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution. In 2001, Uranga proposed legalizing same-sex unions.  The bill did not pass at the time but was ultimately approved in 2007.