By Mike Cook
A total of 63 candidates filed Tuesday, Aug. 29, to run in nearly 40 local races across Doña Ana County, including the mayors, city and town councilors and trustees, school board members and conservation district supervisors and board members.
The Las Cruces mayor’s race drew seven candidates, as incumbent Ken Miyagishima decided not to seek a fifth four-year term. The incumbent mayor of Sunland Park, Javier Perea, did not draw an opponent in his re-election bid. Neither did Russell Hernandez, the only candidate for mayor of Mesilla, as incumbent Mayor Nora Barraza did not run for re-election.
Here is an unofficial list of candidates who filed.
City of Las Cruces
Note: Las Cruces candidates for mayor, city council and municipal judge will be chosen by ranked choice voting in the Nov. 7 local election.
- Mayor: Kasandra Gandara, Eric Enriquez, Mariah J. Hernandez, current Doña Ana County Assessor Gina Ortega, former Doña Ana County Commissioner Isabella Solis, Mike Tellez, Alexander Fresquez. Incumbent Mayor Ken Miyagishima is not running for a fifth four-year term. Ortega, Solis, Tellez and Fresquez have previously run for mayor. Gandara has served the past eight years on the Las Cruces City Council. Enriquez is a former Las Cruces assistant city manager and fire chief. The 2019 Las Cruces mayor’s race drew 10 candidates.
- Council District 1: Patrick W. Potter, Daniel Buck, Cassandra McClure, Mark. J. O’Neill, Jason Estrada. Incumbent Kasandra Gandara is running for mayor.
- Council District 2: Incumbent Tessa Abeyta; former Las Cruces mayor Bill Mattiace
- Council District 4: Incumbent Johana Bencomo, Gabriel Duran Jr., Lorenzo M. Medina, Ramon Ortega
- Municipal Judge 1: Anthony F. Filosa. Filosa was appointed municipal judge II by the Las Cruces City Council in April. Incumbent Judge 1 Joy Goldbaum did not file for re-election.
Town of Mesilla
- Mayor: Salud! de Mesilla co-owner Russell Hernandez is the only candidate who filed for mayor. Incumbent Nora L. Barraza is not running for a fourth term.
- Trustee at large: incumbent Veronica S. Garcia, incumbent Stephanie A. Johnson, Priscilla A. Sandoval, Gerard R. Nevarez
Village of Hatch
- Trustee at large: Incumbent Dennis Torres, incumbent Peter J. Atencio, Linda S. Alvarez
- Municipal Judge: Bertha C. Torres
City of Sunland Park
- Mayor: Incumbent Javier Perea, who was appointed in 2012 and re-elected in 2014 and 2019, is the only candidate for mayor.
- Council District 4: Incumbent Albert Jaramillo, Aixa Adame
- Council District 5: Incumbent Olga Nuñez, Maria M. Burciaga
- Council District 6: Incumbent Jeffrey Cox
City of Anthony, New Mexico
- Trustee at large: incumbent Elva J. Flores, Jaime Castillo, Jose G. Garcia Jr., Fernando Herrera, Rogelio Maldonado Jr.
Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education
- District 1: Incumbent Patrick Nolan, Joseph W. Sousa
- District 4: Incumbent Teresa Tenorio, Edward Howell, Julia E. Ruiz
- District 5: Incumbent Carol Cooper, Jose L. Aranda, Ernest Carlson, former LCPS School Board member Ed Frank
Gadsden Independent School District Board of Education
- District 1: Incumbent Armando Cano, Christian Lira
- District 3: Incumbent Claudia I. Rodriguez
- District 4: Incumbent Daniel Castillo, Hector S. Giron
Hatch Valley Public Schools Board of Education
- At large: Incumbent Merlinda Hinojos, incumbent Greg A. Mitchell, Joaquin Legarreta, Lupe M. Castillo, Reynaldo Gonzalez, Richard Marquez
Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors
Anthony Water and Sanitation Board of Directors
- At large: Incumbent Ron E. Gillett
Caballo Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors
- Incumbent Samantah Marie Gillis
Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority Board of Directors
