Unofficial results: Wymer retains council seat as Districts 1, 6 see runoffs

The city of Rio Rancho municipal election ended at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, and the unofficial results became available shortly after.

According to the numbers, incumbent Paul Wymer will retain his seat in District 4 while districts 1 and 6 will see runoffs.

A candidate for District 1, Deborah Dapson, says she is not surprised it went to a runoff in her race.

“It was not unexpected. I worked really hard during this race and I am actually really excited that I finished at the top even though it had to go to a runoff. It makes me feel like I have a chance to win in the runoff,” she said.

She added that she’s not disappointed because she had a “strong feeling” it would go to a runoff.

Councilor Nicole List was grateful to get to the point of a runoff as well.

“It has been a tuff fight to get to this point. We have another long road to go. Thank you to all who voted. Thank you to Ms. Sauzo and Mr. Vanden-huevel for your passion to serve the community. I am humbled by all the support these past few months. As I look at my one year old, I am reminded just how important this race is. I look forward to continuing to serve district 6 as your city councilor,” she said.

List asked that people get out to vote for the runoff.

List’s opponent Edward Paulsgrove says he is excited.

“District 6 voters have shown a desire for responsive leadership, the type of leadership I spent years developing, both as a paratrooper in the Army, and as a project manager in the US Army Corps of Engineers. They’re tired of misleading mailers, tired of being ignored. It’s clear that it’s time for a change. My natural resource/water resource experience will be a needed benefit for city council, plus I’ll be able to act in the district’s interest immediately – I won’t need months, or years, to keep my promises to my constituents. I look forward to meeting with folks, and the future looks very promising,” he said.

Three municipal bond issues, regarding roads, public safety and quality-of-life projects passed.

Mayor Gregg Hull was pleased with the bond results.

“I want to thank our constituents for giving us the tools necessary to do the important work of fixing roads, keeping our public safe and being able to provide high levels of quality-of-life facilities. Without these bonds we wouldn’t be able to do that. So thank you for your trust,” Hull said.

The results will be brought to the Sandoval County Commission no later than March 15 for canvassing.

The unofficial numbers are as follows:

District 1 City Councilor (four-year term)

Jim Owen: 398 (43%)

Thomas N. Gentry III: 125 (13%)

Deborah S. Dapson: 412 (44%)

*Runoff required

District 4 City Councilor* (four-year term)

Raymond Anthony Archibeque: 292 (27%)

Paul M. Wymer: 582 (54%)

Alexandria C. Piland: 210 (19%)

District 6 City Councilor (four-year term)

Edward Lynn Paulsgrove: 379 (28%)

Chris J. Vanden-Heuvel: 73 (5%)

Nicole Dahn List: 579 (43%)

Aleta P. Suazo: 325 (24%)

*Runoff required

Road Bond:

For: 3,842 (75%)

Against: 1,269 (25%)

Public Safety Bond:

For: 3,586 (70%)

Against: 1,525 (30%)

Quality of Life Bond:

For: 3,416 (67%)

Against: 1,690 (33%)

According to city code, “If no candidate for municipal office receives over 50% of the total vote through the regular election, a run-off election is required for that seat between the two highest voter getters in the regular election.”

This will put incumbent Jim Owen and Deborah Dapson in District 1, as well as incumbent Nicole List and Edward Paulsgrove in District 6, in a runoff. That will be held April 9.

Absentee, early and Election Day voting will be available during the run-off election.

Wymer’s new term will begin April 1.

Total, there were 74,282 voters eligible to cast their ballot in this election. Rio Rancho voter Amy Anderson says she and her husband were “dismayed” with candidate profiles but voted all the same.

“My husband’s second time to vote in Rio Rancho and the first time in a municipal election. He went to vote on Election Day and found the poll workers cordial, professional and very helpful,” Anderson said.

Anderson voted early, but her husband voted Tuesday.

“It was a quick and easy vote,” she added.

Requests for comment from the winning and runoff candidates have not received a response.

Three other municipalities in Sandoval County saw elections Tuesday: Bernalillo, Jemez Springs and Cuba.

Bernalillo

The councilor at-large seat has been marked for a possible recount. Phillip Valverde received 333 votes (33%), James S. Baca 324 (32%) and Sharon Torres-Quintana 354 (35%). Geoffrey T. Rinaldi, unopposed, received 100% of the vote with 497.

Jemez Springs

Michael Ray Nealeigh ran unopposed for mayor and received 100% of the 60 votes. The councilor at large seat appears to be headed for a runoff with Monique Cheri Alton receiving 25 votes (21%), Judy Margaret Boyd 50 votes (42%), Robert M. Wilson 44 votes (37%). Write-in candidate James C. McCue did not receive any votes.

Cuba

The councilor at large seat has been marked for a possible recount. Monica Olivas received 49 votes (15%), the late Tonya Sanchez received 46 votes (15%), Kyle Sandoval received 85 votes (27%), Rebecca Salazar received 94 votes (30%) and Cecilia Delgado received 43 votes (14%).