Primary 2020: Meet the Candidates!

Of all the races in the Taos County primary, the one with an almost palpable tension was between the two candidates for Taos County clerk.  Valerie Rael-Montoya and Dolores Lujan have worked together for years in the clerk’s office. Rael-Montoya, who eventually won the race by 139 votes after the absent

Taos County Commission   District 3:   Unofficial vote total: Andrew Chavez, 326 Darlene Vigil, 863 Mark Flores,  526   The primary election has been …

Appointed to the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s seat in 2019, Marcus J. Montoya was nonetheless worried Wednesday (June 3) about retaining his position. Montoya was ahead of his opponent, …

For their next Taos Magistrate Court judge, Taos County residents will have three choices come this primary election day: Edwardo Martinez, a veteran New Mexico State Police lieutenant and a graduate …

I am writing in response to William E. Cordova's comments about AnJanette Brush's role as the Democratic vice chair being a candidate. First and foremost, Brush has basically recused herself from her duties by stepping aside during the campaign. There is no conflict there.

As individual private citizens of Taos County we can no longer stand by and watch from the sidelines without setting the record straight. We are facing a very important election in the County Clerk's Office and there have been some false statements made as well as inaccurate claims as to how our office has been run by current leadership.

In my opinion it's the most critical position in local government. The members in each district represent us. They live in our communities, and keep our beautiful valleys, our waters and our way of life safe, secure and manageable. Their decisions affect us all, such as: road improvements, land uses, assisting in the creation of a sustainable housing market, health care - just a few examples.

The Taos Democratic Party will host the next in its series of election forums Monday night (May 18) for the three candidates running for Taos Magistrate Court judge. Appointed in March to succeed …

What makes for a good district judge and how should one be selected? Questions posed by Taos Democratic Party Chairman Darien Fernandez at a Zoom forum held Thursday night (May 14) for the four …

One of the great aspects of the 2020 election is how many women are running for office at the local, state and congressional levels. Women are stepping up, willing to do the hard and often thankless work of public servants, making choices to improve their communities.

Many Taos County residents will find that their preferred polling location from elections past won't be an option for the June 2020 primary, and perhaps not even by the time the general election …

Primary 2020 New Mexico Congressional District 3 Candidate Position Survey

Candidates for the District 3 Taos County Commission race gathered for a virtual forum Monday as election day closes in.  Taos Democratic Party Chair Darien Fernandez hosted the event which …

The Taos County Democratic Party will host a forum via Zoom Thursday evening (May 14) for the four candidates running for Division II 8th Judicial District Judge. Incumbent Melissa Kennelly will …

Corrected and updated: Saturday, May 2: Democratic senator Pete Campos is running again to retain the Senate District 8 seat he has held since 1991. He faces another Democrat in the primary, and if he wins, he will face a Republican in November in his bid to continue representing the 48,000 constituents in the eastern New Mexico district.

Jeff Shannon, a Taos Magistrate Court judge for seven and a half years, was appointed to Taos District Court last year, replacing Jeff McElroy, who retired after 17 years with the district, the last seven as judge. Shannon is running unopposed this election and will hold the office for a full term.

Two Republicans and two Democrats will compete for one of the most anticipated races of this election. Formerly held by Senator Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales for 25 years, the District 42 representative seat covers much of the population in Taos County. The district covers the eastern portion of the county and has nearly 30,000 constituents. The representative serves a two-year term. Mark Gallegos and Kristina Ortez have previously tried their hand at this position when it initially became available in 2019 following Gonzales’ move to the Senate. Both were defeated by Taos Mayor Dan Barrone, who has decided not to run to retain the seat. Republican candidates Linda Calhoun and Paul Anthony Martinez will try and secure a seat in Northern New Mexico which has belonged to Democrats for a number of years.

Two Republicans and two Democrats will compete for one of the most anticipated races of this election. Formerly held by Senator Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales for 25 years, the District 42 representative seat covers much of the population in Taos County. The district covers the eastern portion of the county and has nearly 30,000 constituents. The representative serves a two-year term. Mark Gallegos and Kristina Ortez have previously tried their hand at this position when it initially became available in 2019 following Gonzales’ move to the Senate. Both were defeated by Taos Mayor Dan Barrone, who has decided not to run to retain the seat. Republican candidates Linda Calhoun and Paul Anthony Martinez will try and secure a seat in Northern New Mexico which has belonged to Democrats for a number of years.

Jeff Shannon, a Taos Magistrate Court judge for seven and a half years, was appointed to Taos District Court last year, replacing Jeff McElroy, who retired after 17 years with the district, the last seven as judge. Shannon is running unopposed this election and will hold the office for a full term.