Recount coming in Grants Mayoral Election
On March 1 the City of Grants and Village of Milan held their municipal elections to choose a mayor and two new members of their governing body. The City of Grants also elected a new municipal judge.
On March 7, the Cibola County Board of Commissioners certified these election results, making sure that there was no foul play or issues with the election. After certification by the county commissioners, and a declaration that a recount must be had, the votes now go to the Secretary of State’s Office to be made official. As with previous elections, it is unlikely the SOS will have any changes.
All results are unofficial until they are certified by the Secretary of State’s Office. The mayoral election will be recertified near the end of the month, with no date set for the recount.
Mayor of Grants (Recount Coming)
Winner: Erik O. Garcia – 528 votes
Clemente Sanchez – 520 votes
Robert C. Hays – 189 votes
Fred Rodarte – 80 votes Cindy Anderson – 59 votes
In what was a hard campaigned election, the race for Grants Mayor came down to a difference of eight votes. Erik Garcia was the election night winner, up 528 votes to Clemente Sanchez’ 520.
New Mexico State Law, NMSA § 1-14- 24 (2019), a recount election can be triggered if “one percent of the total votes cast in that election for that office in the case of any other office.” The total amount of votes cast in the mayoral election was 1,376. One percent of votes in this election is 13 votes. Because that threshold was not meant, there is potential for a recount.
During the certification of votes on March 7, the Grants City Clerk’s Office declared that a recount was mandatory to ensure the validity of votes. No date or time has been set for the recount just yet.
Grants City Council District 2
Winner: George “Gunny” Garcia – 278 votes
*Richard P. Lucero – 55 votes
Thomas L. Gabaldon – 51 votes
District 2 is currently represented by Richard “Rick” Lucero, who came under intense scrutiny by the public after his vote to fire then-City Manager Vanessa Chavez. City meeting after city meeting Lucero was the subject of verbal attacks by current Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks about a host of issues plaguing the city. Lucero denied the allegations levied against him by the mayor, denials which did not hold with the voting public.
Defeating the incumbent in a landslide is George “Gunny” Garcia, a longtime community staple whohas a strong history in volunteer work across Cibola County. Councilor-Elect Garcia is a former Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who understands the needs of Grants, N.M., and has feverishly worked with the county school district to help students find their purpose. Having worked as the leader of Grants High School’s MCJROTC program, he has always tried to work for the betterment of the city he is about to serve in a government position.
Council District 4
Winner: Beverly Michael – 123 votes
Richard Wade Jones – 104 votes
Ruben J. Arranda – 101 votes
This seat is currently held by Councilor Fred Padilla who choose not to run for reelection. Councilor Padilla is one of the three members of this government who received substantial condemnation from the public after voting to remove then-Manager Chavez.
Councilor-Elect Beverly Michael, local businesses owner, will be taking Padilla’s seat. She decisively beat over the other candidates for this seat, one of whom holds a seat on the Grants/Cibola County School Board. Michael will fill this seat, looking to steer the city into a different direction than the one it has been following.
Municipal Judge
Winner: Michael Chris Cavin – 953 votes
After forcing a change to the Grants City Charter, current Municipal Judge Elise Larson did not seek election to a fourth term. One the primary responsibility of a municipal judge is to uphold the Grants City Charter and ensure that the city is in compliance. In a controversial move, Larson ran for a third term despite the charter placing a term limit of two on municipal judges. After a court case, it was determined that the charter was not in compliance with state law that allowed for municipal judges to run without term limitations. Municipal Judge-Elect Michael Cavin will take the seat.
Village of Milan Mayor
*Winner: Felix O. Gonzales – 112 votes Manuel B. Molina – 92 votes
In a race decided by 10 votes, Mayor Felix Gonzales won a second term as Village of Milan Mayor. When he first became mayor, Gonzales told the Cibola Citizen that he wanted to improve the village’s parks and keep the police force well equipped. In what was a tumultuous first term as mayor, marked by city manager turnover and issues with his police force. Gonzales appears to have regained control of the village, with a strong Milan Police Department and solid manager to keep the village financially strong.
Village Trustee (2 available seats)
*Winner: Christopher J. Archuleta – 161 votes Winner: James A. Mercer – 151 votes
Christopher Archuleta won a second term as Village Trustee, and James Mercer won his first term as trustee. Due to the smaller size of the Village of Milan, all offices are at-large and there are no districts, meaning the candidates with the highest number of votes win. There were two trustee seats up for election with two candidates, Archuleta held on to his seat; the seat won by Mercer was recently vacated by former-Trustee Ellen Baca.
Only 13 percent of registered voters in the State of New Mexico turned out to vote on March 1.
Cibola County awaits anxiously as the recount occurs. The recount is expected to conclude on or before March 31, so the winner of the mayoral election can be sworn in on April 1.
* Indicates incumbent.