CAMPAIGN ’88 : Cisneros Acknowledges Close Ties With Woman

San Antonio Mayor Henry G. Cisneros, the popular Latino leader once considered as a potential Democratic vice presidential candidate, on Friday acknowledged a close, personal relationship with a woman outside his marriage but said he will try to serve the remainder of his term with dignity.

The 41-year-old mayor, who has announced that he will not seek a fifth term or run for state office in 1990, talked to reporters outside his home after reading a newspaper article detailing his relationship with Linda Medlar, 39, who also is married.

Medlar has helped the mayor in various fund-raising campaigns. She told the San Antonio Express-News in a front-page column Friday that she loved the mayor.

“He’s the love of my life,” she said. “I’ve never before met such a charming, talented man. Our rapport is marvelous and we hope to be able to live out the rest of our lives together.”

Cisneros, who frequently touted the institution of family in his lectures, recently acknowledged problems in his 19-year marriage. He said Friday that he was sorry his private life had generated countless rumors the past six months.

He said he wants to work out his problems to protect his wife, Mary Alice, his teen-age daughters, Teresa and Mercedes, and toddler John Paul Anthony, who was born with a congenital heart defect that will require surgery.

The mayor declined to elaborate on his relationship with Medlar, but he said it was not the major problem between him and his wife.

“I think this is a deep and profound personal situation and it requires an expedient decision because so many people involved have been hurt,” he said.

“Linda is a very intelligent, bright, attractive person. Clearly we have been very close,” he said.

Mrs. Cisneros, who declined to speak with reporters, has said she still loves her husband and will not immediately seek a divorce.