Dapson, List sworn in as city councilors

Two city councilors were sworn in prior to the April 25 Rio Rancho Governing Body meeting.

Deborah Dapson and Nicole List each took their oath of office after winning a runoff election April 9.

Dapson unseated incumbent Jim Owen in District 1 and List, who was appointed to the city council in August, won the District 6 seat over Edward Paulsgrove.

Rio Rancho held a runoff election for Districts 1 and 6 city since no candidate in the March 5 general election received a majority of the votes cast, as required by the city’s charter.

In the runoff, List had 416 (51%) votes compared to Paulsgrove’s 393 (49%).

“Thank you so much to my family and friends. In the seven months that I've been here, the city of Rio Rancho has been beyond welcoming and gracious in helping me to understand the process and to best serve the community,” List said. “I am so very grateful for the mayor and his wife, and they have welcomed me with open arms to really help me to be the best city councilor that I can be. I just want to thank everyone and also thank our first responders. Thank you so much for what you do for the city day in and day out.”

Owen, who was mayor from 2002-06 and was elected to city council in 2016, had 398 (47%) votes to Dapson’s 442 (53%).

“All I can really say is thank you. Thank you to the staff and the city and to all the people who voted for me, of course,” Dapson said. “I ran with the intention of being a voice for my district, and I am really happy to know that this city and this board is going to help me do exactly that. I'm excited and looking forward to working with you all and working for the people in district one.”