The November 4th election took place in many states in America and in NM it was deemed the “regular local election”. Voter turnout statewide was at 25%, but in Northern NM voter turnout was at a higher percentage and as high as 55% in Harding County as local races and school bond questions were answered. In Colfax county 32% of the registered voters turned out for early/absentee and live voting.
In Raton, there were three City Commission seats up for election with two of the three seats being won by political newcomers. Sally Hoger unseated incumbent commissioner and mayor Neil Segotta, while Dan Campbell won a close race against Jason Bennett and incumbent Don Giacomo. The only City Commission incumbent to retain their seat was Linde’ Schuster who turned away challenger Katherine Hanson.
Other results in Colfax County, include election of a new Mayor in Maxwell as challenger Michael Brandenburg outpolled incumbent Shantell Gallegos by three votes. Springer’s Mayor Boe Lopez was easily re-elected garnering 83% of the votes cast. Lopez also won a seat on the South Central Colfax County Hospital Board (SCCCHB) with a 74% margin. In Eagle Nest, Fox Guinn’s 59% majority gives him the mayors gavel and Eloy Brazil ran unapposed for Mayor of Cimarron.
The other winners in the SCCCHB were Debra Campbell for District 2 and Kaycee Sandoval, who ran unopposed, for District 1.
Voters also approved the continuance of Capital Improvement Taxes for Raton, Springer and Cimarron schools and Springer voters also approved a $1,000,000 General obligation Bond question by a resounding 80%.
Springer Town Trustees had two openings and Rebecca Ramirez and Joe Anselmo Apodaca, Jr were the top two vote getters elected to four year terms.
Angel Fire had Owen Curry and Charles Howe filling to two open Councilor seats for four year terms, while at the other corner of the Moreno Valley, Eagle Nest voters elected Andrew Dale Fuller, Sr, and Deborah Espie for 4 year Councilor terms from a crowded field of six.
Mark Cruz, Kimberly Berry and Roy Hapeman will serve on the Maxwell City Council while Cimarron elected Colin Tawney, Mariah Ledoux and Ernie Ledoux as the top three vote-getters for the open slots to guide the Council.
School Board elections in Colfax County saw Devon Cruz, Kacie Dienes and Amanda Galli fill the three openings on the Maxwell School Board. Springer School’s two openings on their school board will be filled by Elydia C Vigil and Edwin Lee Martinez, Jr.
