GRANTS, N.M. - As the calendar turns to 2026, Cibola County’s local governments are largely settled following the Nov. 4, 2025 Regular Local Election and a subsequent recount in December. While voter turnout remained modest, the election produced several consequential outcomes— particularly for city leadership in Grants and Milan, long-term funding for schools and the county hospital, and a handful of closely watched local races.
Here’s a clear look at what passed, what changed, and what leadership looks like heading into the new year.
City of Grants Council
The most closely watched race of the 2025 election occurred in Grants City Council District 1, where the margin came down to just three votes.
District 1: Dolores P. Vallejos Won 133–130; victory confirmed in a December recount.
District 3: Fred Rodarte Unopposed; returned to office.
The rest of the Grants City Council remains unchanged:
Mayor: Erik Garcia District 2: George Garcia District 4: Beverly Michael While the recount settled the vote totals, questions surrounding District 1 residency requirements under the Grants City Charter remain unresolved, after a December review from the Grants City Council was removed from the agenda and the city attorney announced his resignation, District I was filled by Dolores Vallejos after a lawsuit was filed attempting to stop the swearing.
Other questions pertaining to the City of Grants Section 8.02(A) which bars councilors from serving other elected roles remain in question as Vallejos is the current Cibola County Assessor.
Rodarte returns to the office, marking his 16th year on the council.
Village of Milan
Milan voters returned their executive and judicial leadership without opposition and filled two trustee seats following a competitive race and recount, bringing two new men to power in the village.
Mayor: Felix O. Gonzales (Unopposed) Municipal Judge: William H. Cunningham (Unopposed) Following the recount, two trustee seats were confirmed:
Trustee: George E. Knotts Trustee: Virgil Brumbelow Also continuing in office are:
Trustee: Monica Sandoval Trustee: Roseanne Lopez Despite a crowded field, Milan’s leadership structure remains largely familiar, with voters opting for continuity.
Voters Approved Taxes and Bonds
While candidate races drew attention for their narrow margins, voters overwhelmingly approved all major funding measures on the ballot.
Hospital Mill Levy
Voters approved the continuation of the county hospital mill levy by a wide margin.
YES: 79% (1,925 votes) NO: 21% (523 votes) The levy supports the operation and maintenance of Cibola General Hospital, securing funding for the next eight years.
GCCS 2-Mill Capital Improvements Tax
The school district’s capital improvements tax also passed comfortably.
YES: 72% (1,541 votes) NO: 28% (588 votes) The funding will continue to support school facilities, equipment, and infrastructure across the district.
Quemado School Bond
Voters in the Quemado Independent School District approved a general obligation bond for school improvements, including facilities and teacher housing.
Less Than 17 Percent of Voters Decided the Future provements, including facilities and teacher housing.
Less Than 17 Percent of Voters Decided the Future
Final turnout countywide reached 16.37 percent, typical for an off-year local election.
Yet, these results demonstrate how even lowturnout elections can have outsized consequences that decide leadership by a handful of votes and setting tax policy for nearly the next decade.
Cibola County
Commission
No county commission seats were on the ballot in 2025, leaving the Cibola County Board of Commissioners unchanged. The five-member board continues with a Democratic majority and a mix of veteran and newer commissioners.
District I: Christine Lowery (Democrat) Term: Jan. 1, 2019 – Dec. 31, 2026 Role: Chair District II: Ray Carpenter (Democrat) Term: Jan. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2028
District III: Ralph Lucero (Democrat) Term: Jan. 1, 2019 – Dec. 31, 2026 Role: First Vice-Chair District IV: Joseph Windhorst (Republican) Term: Jan. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2028
District V: Georgia Routzen-Sanchez (Democrat)
Term: Jan. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2028 The Cibola County Commission had no members on the 2025 election,