ABC announced that the next candidate for The Bachelor is 36-year-old Coronado Mayor and Coronado High School teacher Casey Tanaka. Since 2001, The Bachelor television show has been a hit with viewers around the globe and they are excited that, for the first time, a city official will be in the “hot seat” this season.
Executive producer Lirpa Sloof shared that expectations will be high as they go into production this Spring. “When I first found out that the final bachelor candidate was both a city mayor and school teacher from a small “island” town in San Diego, I was a little skeptical of how our viewers would respond. However, once you meet Casey and get to experience his Aloha Spirit, historical wit and love for classic cinema, you get it immediately.” The show boasts over 4.1 million weekly viewers and isn’t fooling around this time with the lastest candidate.
About The Bachelor According to ABC’s Website:
There has been an eclectic mix of bachelors over the years. We’ve seen a doctor, football star, prince, millionaire, single dad and more than a few familiar faces – this season, we have the dynamic combination of a bachelor who is not only a high school teacher, but the mayor of his city. But as different as the bachelors have been, there’s one thing they all have in common. They are all looking for love.
- Age: 36
- Hometown: Coronado, CA
- College: BA with Honors in History from UCSD / Minor in Political Science (1997)
- Occupation: High School History Teacher (1999)
- City Service: Elected City Councilman (2002, 2006), Mayor (2008, 2012)
- Marital Status: Single (for now)
- Pets: Dog (Leo)
eCoronado.com sat down with Mayor Tanaka to learn more about why he said yes to The Bachelor opportunity and how this may impact his professional and personal life.
A: A friend submitted my information for fun, but once I received the first call and “bachelor interview”, it quickly turned into a reality.
A: I am not worried as the show films in the summer months when I am not teaching.
A: I don’t think I’m the most eligible bachelor, I’m just the highest ranking one.
A: I think dinner and a movie is always ideal, on or off the Island!
A: I am a romantic and I think this show, however impractical, is capable of magic.
A: Leo is friendly and accepting, and I have no doubt that he will embrace whomever I choose.
A: Dual Survival or World’s Worst Tenants
A: I’d have to go with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. How he kept his emotions and wits together during the Civil Rights Movement is something I would love to hear more about. I also have a strong feeling that he would be as genuine in person as he seems in documentary footage.
(a) Students that dress up as you for Halloween
(b) crowd of residents picketing to allow livestock in Coronado
(c) 25 women trying to land you as The Bachelor
A: I have dealt with (a) and (b) before, but never (c), so (c) would definitely terrify me the most!
A: The season premier isn’t until May 22nd and most likely I will be watching it.
Here is Mayor Tanaka enjoying a cold beer on an episode of “The Beers Gone Bad”:
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