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 city released an unofficial list of candidates for mayor, three council positions and municipal judge at 5 p.m. Jan. 6, following the deadline. Once the City Clerk's Office notified candidates of whether they were qualified, the city released the official list. Only one candidate, Seth E. Velasquez, who intended to run for the District 5 council seat, was disqualified.

The candidate listings came ahead of an election in which Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull decided not run for for an unprecedented fourth term and instead focus his efforts on running for governor. 

District 2 Councilor Jeremy Lenentine, who was appointed by Hull to fill a vacancy on the governing body in 2019, was elected to a two-year term the following year before re-election in 2022.

District 3 Councilor Bob Tyler, a security consultant and former law enforcement officer, is seeking a third term on the governing body. He was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

District 5 Councilor Karissa Culbreath was appointed by Hull to fill a vacancy in 2020 and was elected to a four-year term in 2022.

Cook is seeking a forth term to the bench, having been elected in 2010.

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)
• 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 — initially included three candidates before Velasquez  was disqualified. 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.”

In an prepared statement, Ward wrote that he is thrilled to run for the District 5 council seat, drawing on his 20-year background in the military and as a business owner.

"My background in health care administration, clinical lab science, fitness training, massage therapy, and proven Lean Six Sigma/Kaizen expertise equips me to streamline city processes and deliver results," Ward wrote. "Let’s tackle infrastructure challenges, support quality-of-life improvements, and build a more efficient Rio Rancho together."