Candidate says “Keep Blanco Blanco” slogan isn’t about the color

Blanco mayoral contender Bruce Peele insists he intended no racial connotation in his campaign slogan, “Keep Blanco Blanco." But, since “blanco” means white in Spanish, some people have remarked on social media postings that the phrase could be read to mean “Keep Blanco White.” less Blanco mayoral contender Bruce Peele insists he intended no racial connotation in his campaign slogan, “Keep Blanco Blanco." But, since “blanco” means white in Spanish, some people have remarked on social ... more Photo: SnapChat Photo: SnapChat Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close Candidate says “Keep Blanco Blanco” slogan isn’t about the color 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

Blanco mayoral contender Bruce Peele insists he intended no racial connotation in his campaign slogan, “Keep Blanco 'Blanco,’” which he coined in his bid to unseat incumbent Mayor Chuck Homan in the May 9 election.

But since “blanco” means “white” in Spanish, some people have remarked on social media postings that the phrase could be read to mean “Keep Blanco White.”

“You're the first person who even suggested it has racial overtones,” Peele said Thursday when advised of the online debate about the slogan, which appears on 100 of his signs.

Blanco is about 40 miles north of San Antonio. A retired lawyer who moved there about three years ago, Peele said he doesn't speak Spanish but knew the name is derived from its white limestone. The river that passes through town was named the Rio Blanco for that reason by a Spanish expedition in 1721.

“Obviously, I apologize if anybody took my slogan the wrong way,” he said. “It was intended to mean, 'Keep Blanco the way it is’ … to maintain its rural character.”

Councilwoman Maria Guerrero said the racial interpretation of Peele's slogan “never crossed my mind,” adding of Peele, “There's not a racist bone in his body.”

When Peele unveiled the slogan, she recalled, “He said people want (the town) to stay small. They don't want it to change. They want to keep the big box stores out.”

zeke@express-news.net