meet mike gin, mayor of redondo beach, ca

L.A. Weekly ran a profile last week on Mike Gin, mayor of Redondo Beach, California, who might be considered an unusual public official in that he is gay, married, Asian American -- and popular at a time when California politicians are reaching new lows in approval-rating polls: Mike Gin, Redondo Beach's Chinese-American, Rotarian, Gay Mayor.

Gin served eight years on the Redondo City Council and four as mayor. And according to the article, he has developed a reputation as a classic old-school politician who listens patiently to residents, considers a wide array of arguments and interests before making a decision, and goes out of his way to avoid confrontation. Basically, they love him in Redondo Beach.