Retired Temecula Mayor, Nonbinary Barber's Friendship Sparks New Book

TEMECULA, CA—Former Mayor Jeff Comerchero has come a long way, he says. A self-proclaimed former bigot, he recently penned a book with his barber, a nonbinary 23-year-old who challenged him to see the world through a different lens.

The book chronicles the lives of Comerchero and barber E.J. Radford, examining each of their lives, their mutual successes and disappointments as they became unlikely friends.

"The Old Man was the politically and socially conservative mayor of one of the fastest-growing cities in America. He was also a bigot. The Queer was a 23-year-old barber full of tattoos, piercings, a nose ring, and who knows what else. Throughout history, people this diverse would hardly be seen together. That is especially true in the United States today. So, what brought these two very different people together? Something did, and magic occurred. They began to understand each other first, then became friends. Follow their journey from the impossible to the remarkable."

Comerchero told the Press Enterprise that the city could learn a thing or two.

"For me personally, I feel like everything that my colleagues and friends worked so hard to develop over the first 30 years of cityhood is being torn down to a certain degree, and it’s painful,” he told the PE.

The book has been praised by former California State Senator Jeff Stone and City Councilmember Matt Rahn, another former Temecula Mayor and Comerchero's mother.

"I am so proud of my good friend, Jeff Comerchero," Stone wrote. "We served together in various elected and appointed positions, and I find it no surprise that he's demonstrating the level of understanding and compassion that he's always shown his constituents. He and E.J. have written an important book detailing their lives and their unique friendship."

Rahn described the book as one that details an unexpected, transformative friendship.

"This book comes at a time when our City is struggling to find its identity, confronting real challenges through a microcosm that reflects our nation," Rahn wrote. "Our community is better because of the strength and leadership of these two remarkable individuals. They show us how the most unexpected friendships can change our personal journey forever, challenging our beliefs and enriching our lives."

Comerchero's mother, Ida (Jeri) Chayet, also shared her two cents on the piece.

"I can't believe my son became so successful," she said. "All he ever wanted to do was play baseball."

Local historian and author Rebecca Farnbach reviewed the work, saying:

"This is an intensely honest book that challenges the reader to celebrate each person's humanity, look past the exterior appearance to the very heart of the other person, and set aside long-time mindsets to open ourselves to a greater, kinder understanding of people unlike ourselves," Farnbach wrote. "In reading this book, one can't help but reexamine one's own biases. Well done, Jeff and Eli!"

Another reviewer says this shows what is possible when preconceptions and prejudices are dropped in an effort to learn about our neighbors.

"At a time when people around the world are becoming increasingly more divided and judgemental of one another, this book shows us what is still possible," Jeff Waddleton wrote. "Add it to your library, and make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you."

As of Friday morning, "The Old Man and the Queer" ranks at #276 in Amazon's LGBTQ+ Biographies.