Unofficial results: RR mayor's race heads for runoff; Torres re-elected in Bernalillo

 RIO RANCHO — It seems as though Rio Rancho will have to wait to find out who its first new mayor in 12 years will be. 

Rio Rancho District 4 Councilor Paul Wymer and Alexandria Piland, a ward chair for the Sandoval County Democratic Party, appear headed for a runoff election next month in the race for Rio Rancho mayor, according to unofficial election results. The runoff will be held April 14.

Wymer, elected to the council in 2020, was sitting at 45% of the vote (6,237 votes) to Piland's 27% (3,662 votes), according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office as of 10:30 p.m. with all precincts fully reporting.

Wymer said he feels confident about the unofficial results and believes his campaign has the support of voters. He noted if there is a runoff election, his challenger would be Piland.

"The fact that there is a runoff is not a surprise; I was hoping for a different outcome. However, it is what it is," Wymer said. "I'm looking forward to a race with Alexandria ... I'm confident I can win that race, but we've got a lot of hard work ahead of us."

Piland said that her team was working for a win and planning for a runoff election.

“Team Piland is ready and raring to go!” she said. “They’re unofficial results, but if I had the opportunity to say anything to the people of Rio Rancho, I would say that I am really looking forward to serving them as their mayor.”

The other candidates in the mayoral race are Sandoval County Commissioner Michael Meek (11%, 1,552 votes) self-described conservationist Zachary Darden (9%, 1,191 votes) homemaker and former teacher Corrine Rios (7%, 915 votes) and local businesswoman Aleitress Owens-Smith (1%, 189 votes).

In a statement on NextDoor, Darden said he was “blessed and thankful” to have run for mayor.

“I can’t say I’m not disappointed in the way the results turned out but what I WILL keep doing is fighting for change and being a voice for the people!” he wrote. “We now see what Rio Rancho wants, and DESERVES which is clean water, new roads, better programs for our youth, more support for veterans, seniors ect. (sic) Now it is up to us to observe and see if that happens. Thank you for all of you who supported me along this journey.”

Rios thanked her supporters in posts on social media, adding that although she thought it would be difficult to run against Wymer, her campaign was “the right decision.”

“Sometimes running for office isn’t only about winning — it’s about shining a light on issues, starting important conversations, and giving voters another voice,” Rios wrote, in part.

Rio Rancho District 5 Councilor Karissa Culbreath, who had 54% of the votes (1,113 votes), said the unofficial results "look promising" and if elected, she looks forward to serving again. She added that she is grateful not only for her supporters but also for everyone who voted since she will be serving everyone in District 5. 

Culbreath's opponent, Calvin Ward (46%, 944), congratulated Culbreath in a social media post, but also expressed excitement and a sense of sadness over the results.

“I am saddened that the voice of true Republicans in our city seems to have been overtaken by RINOs — Republicans In Name Only — who appear more focused on building long-term political careers and future mayoral runs than on faithfully upholding Republican principles,” Ward wrote, calling on term limits for municipal elected officials. “In contrast, I am truly inspired by the dedication and energy of the many community volunteers and fellow Republicans who worked so hard on this campaign. These patriots gave freely of their time and resources with a shared desire to see our party succeed and our city thrive.”

He called on Culbreath to address homelessness, crime, transportation and business.

Ward thanked his supporters and said the end of his campaign is the beginning of a new chapter.

District 2 Councilor Jeremy Lenentine, District 3 Councilor Bob Tyler and municipal Judge Robert Cook each received 100% of the vote in unopposed races for re-election.

In Bernalillo, Mayor Jack Torres appeared on track for re-election with 71% of the vote (605) compared to 29% for challenger James Baca (244). Both Vincent Seferino Montoya and Gerred Prairie received 50% of votes for council, where voters could cast two votes for at-large seats.

Both municipalities included general bond questions on the ballot. Rio Rancho voters overwhelmingly approved bonding to repair roads,  improve public safety and support more quality of life amenities. Bernalillo voters also overwhelmingly supported a gross receipt tax to pay for new projects to boost the town’s economy.

Mayor

Rio Rancho:

Paul Wymer - 45% ( 6,237 votes)

Alexandria Piland - 30% (3,662 votes)

Michael Meek - 12% (1,552 votes)

Zachary Darden - 8% (1,191 votes)

Corrine Rios - 7% (915 votes) 

Aleitress Owens-Smith - 1% (189 votes)

Bernalillo:

Jack S. Torres (incumbent) - 71% (604 votes)

 James S. Baca -29% (244 votes)

Council

Rio Rancho District 2

Jeremy Lenentine - 100% (1,255 votes)

Rio Rancho District 3

Bob Tyler - 100% (1,977 votes)

Rio Rancho District 5

Karissa Culbreath - 54%  (1,113 votes)

Calvin Ward - 46% (944 votes)

Bernalillo

(vote for two)

Vincent Seferino Montoya (incumbent) -50% (613 votes)

Gerred Prairie (incumbent) - 50% (606 votes)

Rio Rancho Municipal Judge

Robert Cook - 100% (9,544 votes)

Bond question - Bernalillo

"Shall the Town of Bernalillo impose a one-fourth of one percent (0.25%, or 25 cents per $100 of taxable gross receipts) Local Economic Development Act local option gross receipts tax, with the revenue being dedicated to furthering or implementing economic development plans and projects, among which arts and cultural districts, cultural facilities, and retail businesses would be qualifying uses?"

Yes - 74% (609 votes)

No - 26% (213 votes)

Bond questions - Rio Rancho

1. "Shall the City of Rio Rancho issue up to $12,435,000 of general obligation bonds, to be repaid from property taxes, for the purpose of designing, constructing, repairing, preserving, rehabilitating, enhancing and otherwise improving roads and underlying utility infrastructure?"

Yes - 73% ( 9,955 votes)

No - 27% ( 3,621 votes)

2. "Shall the City of Rio Rancho issue up to $4,365,000 of general obligation bonds, to be repaid from property taxes, for the purpose of designing, constructing, repairing, preserving, rehabilitating, enhancing and otherwise improving public safety facilities and repairing, replacing or otherwise improving public safety vehicles, apparatuses, and equipment?"

Yes -  67% (9,106 votes)

No -  33% (4,429 votes)

3. "Shall the City of Rio Rancho issue up to $1,200,000 of general obligation bonds, to be repaid from property taxes, for the purpose of designing, constructing, renovating, acquiring, rehabilitating, improving and equipping public quality of life facilities in the City?"

Yes - 65%  (8,765 votes)

No - 35% (4,741 votes)