RR mayor, council candidates participate in forum

RIO RANCHO — Five candidates for Rio Rancho mayor and two council candidates told voters and residents alike Tuesday why they are running for office and shared how they would address some of the City of Vision's most pressing issues.

Rio Rancho mayoral candidate forum

The candidates made their case in a forum hosted by the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Rio Rancho Observer and KDSK Radio.  The event came on the first day of early voting in the 2026 Rio Rancho municipal election.

Questions for the mayoral candidates

1.  "The city has faced criticism over rising water and sewer rates and frequent water line failures. What is your specific plan to stabilize utility costs for residents while modernizing our aging water infrastructure?"

2. "What does the city of Rio Rancho need to do to increase staffing levels, while also attracting and retaining public safety officers to ensure the city remains the safest city in New Mexico?"

3.  "If elected mayor, what specific changes—if any—would you propose to the city’s development and permitting process to reduce costs and timelines while still maintaining safety, quality, and community standards in Rio Rancho?"

4.  "Regarding open government and transparency, what changes, if any, do you think need to be made with the city’s media policy to ensure open dialogue with the press and residents and that IPRA requests are lawfully being fulfilled?"

5.  "Approximately 62% of Rio Rancho residents leave the city each day to work elsewhere due to limited jobs and these impacts lost revenue from GRT funds being spent in the city of their employment. What would you do to attract business to Rio Rancho?"

6.  "Rio Rancho currently operates under a council–manager form of government, often described as a “weak mayor” system, where the city council sets policy, and a professionally appointed city manager oversees day-to-day operations. Would you like to see this form of government continue or change it to a Strong Mayor system like Albuquerque?"

7.  "Would you continue to count on the permanent fund and road bonds for road improvements or you support raising taxes to pay for road improvements?"

8.  "The new Mayors salary will the highest ever at $97,765. What is your availability as a full-time mayor from 7am-8pm daily and weekends if elected to justify this increased cost to taxpayers?"

9.  "Does Rio Rancho need more city facilities for recreation, parks, walking areas or other quality of life offerings?"

10. What nonprofit, civic, or community organizations have you been involved with over the past four years?

11. Would you support making Rio Rancho a sanctuary city? 

12. For or Against speed vans and new speed camera boxes? 

13. Do you think Impact Fees should be Charged for new business development and or new housing?

Rio Rancho City Council candidate forum

The mayoral candidates made opening and closing statements and answered questions on nine topics, ranging from water to government transparency. They were also given "blitz questions" in which they were expected to provide short answers on impact fees, speed cameras and whether Rio Rancho should be a sanctuary city.

Candidates for the Rio Rancho Governing Body sat down with the Observer to answer a different set of questions.

Most candidates for mayor and three council seats participated in the event. Alexandria Piland, Zachary Darden, Michael Meek, Paul Wymer and Corrine Rios participated in the mayoral forum. Aleitress Owens-Smith, also running for mayor, did not participate.

District 3 Councilor Bob Tyler, an incumbent running unopposed, participated in the forum, as did Karissa Culbreath, an incumbent running to keep her council seat with District 5.

Culbreath's opponent, Calvin Ducane Ward, did not participate, nor did District 2 Councilor Jeremy Lenentine, who is running unopposed.

Mayoral candidates

Following opening statements, candidates answered the forum's first question, related to water.

They were asked for their plan to stabilize utility costs for residents and modernize aging water infrastructure following multiple water rate increases and water line failures. 

Piland said high water bills are unacceptable and that she is also aware of water main breaks. She wants to take a "common-sense approach" to the issue and examine the practice of repeated patching of water lines as opposed to fixing it once. Piland also wants to work on recycling the city's water supply and be more transparent about water testing.

Darden described water as "our most precious resource" and called for protecting the Santa Fe Group aquifer, which supplies water to the city. Darden also said the city needs to work on long-term water plans and bring back the utilities commission. A full review of the city's wastewater treatment plant needs to be conducted, he said.

Rios said she plans to sponsor an ordinance to bring back the utilities commission. She also said she is opposed to annual water rate increases and is in favor of possibly carving out separate oversight for the city's water.

Wymer said Rio Rancho is no different when it comes to challenges cities face with water rates. Some of those issues, including purchasing water rates, are out of the city's control, he said. Nevertheless, Wymer said he is in favor of "gradual, annual" water rate increases, which he realizes may be unpopular, but in his view are better than years of no increases with steep hikes in between. Wymer also defended the aquifer, stating it is new to the city, but water is "thoroughly cleaned" to drinking water standards, among other practices.

Meek said his plan for water infrastructure includes bringing in "expert utility oversight" and potentially finding "desalination methods" to get rid of "heavily brackish" water in the city. Meek called for "water rate transparency" that includes financial planning before approving more rate increases. 

"The water bills — that certainly is something that everybody deals with and continually raises every single year," Meek said. "I think it's time to get a grip."

During "blitz questions" toward the end of the forum, all candidates except Piland stated they were opposed to making Rio Rancho a sanctuary city, allowing illegal immigrants to stay in Rio Rancho without fear of local authorities reporting them to federal authorities for possible deportation. 

Piland's statement drew applause from some audience members before boos could be heard in her closing statement, where she asked residents to reach out to her with campaign questions, including her stance on ICE.

"I don't want citizens being murdered in our streets. I don't want them being shot in the face or shot 10 times," Piland said, before Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Schalow told the audience to "bring it down."

"I think our city is better than that," Piland said. 

Karissa Culbreath

Culbreath, appointed to council in 2020 and elected in 2022, said being on city council has been "my most unexpected pleasure," having never run for office before.

"Here I am again, because I have found joy and pleasure in doing the work," Culbreath said. "Rolling up my sleeves and serving the community — that's the work that I hope to continue to do, and I am so excited to be able to share with you today my continued vision for the city of Rio Rancho. ... Believe me, there is still work to do."

When she was asked what she believes is the No. 1 issue facing the city is the "interesting cusp" Rio Rancho finds itself on after its founding 45 years ago. The city, she said, is moving from being a "bedroom community" into one with real jobs and focused development.

"In some ways, we're facing a midlife crisis," Culbreath said.

The challenge for Rio Rancho, she said, is defining how the city can have "smart and responsible development," housing growth, and making sure the city has the public safety resources needed to match the population.

"The biggest challenge is really the result of our greatest success," Culbreath said. 

She closed her response to the question by stating she has the experience to address such a "multifaceted challenge."

Bob Tyler

Tyler, who was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, is vying for his third term. 

When he was asked what he believes is the No. 1 issue facing the city and how it should be addressed, Tyler responded the city has several that it is "trying to overcome one at a time," including infrastructure.

Forum organizers asked Tyler what a few things he wants to accomplish in his district, since it is one of the fastest-growing in the city. Following a quip that he hated to be "the bearer of bad news" that a Trader Joe's is not on the way, Tyler said he would like to see more businesses come to Rio Rancho, including a hotel.

"I know that sounds crazy," Tyler said, stating his belief the hotel could be placed near the intersection of US 550 and NM 528. "But heck, if we put a hotel out there, can you imagine the amount of people that would stay or the amount of (gross receipt tax) we would generate?"

Tyler added that the city and the chamber need to create an environment for new businesses to thrive and make owners feel safe in their community.

As much as Tyler would like to see more businesses in the city, he believes it won't come without more homes.

"There has to be a common-sense growth for both sides," he said.