In contrast to news of Mexican politicians getting shot, a candidate for governor of San Luis Potosí has shot himself — in the foot.

Arturo Arriaga Macías was a candidate until he offered his resignation after claiming that homosexuality, abortion and pregnant single women are societal problems comparable to insecurity, violence and drug trafficking.

The 30-year-old was being interviewed by a state newspaper when he made the remarks that cost him the candidacy. He characterized those “problems” as situations that break the traditional family model.

Arriaga Macías pointed to an area of the state known as the Zona Media to illustrate that the absence of work and support from the state government have provoked insecurity and unemployment , creating a situation where drug addiction, gangsterism, homosexuality, violence and drug trafficking have taken over.

Described in one report as an evangelical pastor, the candidate for the Social Encounter Party (PES) submitted his resignation as candidate, but the party decided on Tuesday to remove him from the ballot.

Officials said Arriaga Macías’ statements did not coincide with the party’s platform, which is intended to promote inclusion.

The Democractic Revolution Party has joined the fray by filing an official complaint against the former candidate before the National Council to Prevent Discrimination, and demanding a public apology from the PES.

The left-wing party now has 30 days to find a replacement for a race in which winning is a long shot.

The current governor, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, won with 45% of the vote in 2009 and the National Action Party came a close second with 42%. A leftist coalition led by the Democratic Revolution Party trailed with just 9%.

Source: CNN (sp), El Universal (sp)