Six candidates file for Rio Rancho mayor

RIO RANCHO — A dozen candidates filed for elected positions Tuesday for the city's March 3 municipal election.

The unofficial list was announced by the city of Rio Rancho Jan. 6, following the 5 p.m. filing deadline.  The official list of candidates will not be provided until Jan. 9, when the city clerk has notified all candidates whether their declarations were qualified.

Here is the unofficial list of residents running for office in the upcoming local election:

Mayor

• Paul Wymer 
• Michael Meek 
• Aleitress Owens-Smith
  
• Zachary Darden
• Alexandria Piland
• Corrine Rios

District 2 city councilor

• Jeremy Paul Lenentine (incumbent)

District 3 city councilor

• Bob Tyler (incumbent)

District 5 city councilor

• Karissa D. Culbreath (incumbent)
• Seth E. Velasquez
• Calvin Ducane Ward

Municipal Judge

• G. Robert Cook (incumbent)

Candidate reactions

A handful of residents arrived at city hall within the first hour of filing day.

Sandoval County Commission Chairman Michael Meek was one of the first to show up.

"It was very exciting. This is the very first official step to trying to make a difference in the city of Rio Rancho," Meek said. 

It only took the commission chairman about 10 minutes to complete the filing process, and now that it's official, "it's like hearing the gun go off in the race."

While Meek arrived at City Hall by himself, Alexandria Piland filed her candidacy for mayor as two campaign staffers looked on. She added, "I just hope my handwriting is clear and I don't make any mistakes."

Upon filing, Piland said she and her team are ready to campaign, and "we're going to take it to the finish line."

Corrine Rios, a former candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives, filed her candidacy for mayor in the afternoon. Her declaration came as she continues her lawsuit against the city, claiming it passed ordinances unlawfully and prematurely increased water and sewer rates.

"I felt genuinely excited today when I filed to run for mayor. We live in the greatest country on the planet — a place where ordinary citizens still have the opportunity to step forward and serve their communities through elected office," Rios said in a prepared statement. "Even a stay-at-home wife and mother like me can stand up, offer a new perspective, and work to make a difference."

Rio Rancho District 4 Councilor Paul Wymer filed for mayor mid-afternoon. He laughed that he had to make a correction to his address on one of the forms.

"I think, to a certain degree, yes, it did (feel official)," said Wymer. "It's a milestone date that we've all been looking for — and here it is today."

Wymer noted that Tuesday was not his first filing day, so the "suspense" for him is waiting to see who his opponents are.

Local businesswoman Owens-Smith said she felt "amazing" to attempt to "start a new legacy" as a politician. She added that she prefers to view her potential new title in a positive light.

"I am excited, and I am ready to work with (residents) if I become the mayor," Owens-Smith said.

Zachary Darden, a self-described conservationist, also filed to run for mayor. He said he has never run for office. At just 28 years old, he noted he might be the youngest candidate in the race.

"It's nice to know it's an open race — there's not a ton of parameters in the way to prevent people from (running for office)," Darden said. "It's not rocket science."

He said he felt "empowered" after filing for office. 

"I was like, 'OK, I'm making a difference; I'm here,'" Darden said. "What ever happens with it, I'm happy I'm making this change for myself and this community."

The city’s only other contested race — the seat for councilor representing District 5 — includes three candidates. Incumbent Karissa Culbreath said in an email that she is excited to run for re-election.

“We have accomplished so much for the city, and I’m excited to continue to make Rio Rancho the absolute best city in the southwest!” Culbreath wrote. “I look forward to continuing to champion investments in our roads and in quality of life initiatives for our youth. I’m proud of the work we have done this far and we have important work ahead.”

Culbreath's challengers, Calvin Ducane Ward Seth E. Velasquez, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.