John Loza
(44 pages)
Listen to the interview
Biography:
John Loza is a criminal defense attorney who was born in 1963 in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas in 1981. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science at Harvard University and received his law degree from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 1988. He worked for the Dallas County District Attorney's office as a prosecutor from 1989-1994 and was elected to the Dallas City Council in 1997, serving on four committees: Human Services, Housing and Neighborhood Development, Municipal and Minority Affairs, and Public Safety, Health, and Youth. He was involved in the Hispanic American Law Students Association (HALSA), the student bar association, and the student senate while at SMU. At the time of the interview, he was a member of the Mexican American Bar Association (MABA) and the Greater Dallas Community Relations Commission.
Interview Summary:
John Loza begins with his family's background and his years growing up in Dallas. He gives details about his education at St. Mark's School of Texas, Harvard University, and Southern Methodist University, and comments on his student activities. He discusses his work with the Dallas County District Attorney's office and talks at length about his political involvement with the Young Republicans. He describes his first campaign for election against incumbent Chris Luna for a Dallas City Council seat in 1995 and assails Luna's supporters for the pre-election exposure of Loza's gay sexual orientation. He continues with his successful run for election to the Dallas City Council against opponent Brenda Reyes in 1997. He remarks on the working relationship between fellow Mexican American councilman Steve Salazar and African American mayor Ron Kirk, mentions his own work on several committees, and comments on prominent Mexican American politician Henry Cisneros.
Locations of residence or activity:
Dallas
Interview Date:
2/22/1998