Candidates declare for elections
Tuesday, Jan. 5, was filing day for municipal elections in Magdalena and Socorro.
Mayoral positions for both towns will be up for grabs during the March 2 elections.
In Socorro, incumbent Ravi Bhasker faces lone challenger Mark A. Santomenna.
In the Socorro City Council race, Noah D. Jaramillo, Nick Fleming, Jean Louis Fraissinet, Sammy Pino and Harold Baca filed for the Ward 1 position currently held by Chuck Zimmerly.
Incumbent Donald Monette is the lone candidate for Ward 2. Incumbent Gordon E. “Gordy” Hicks in Ward 3 will go against George I. Foulenfond.
Ward 4 incumbent Ernest Pargas will run against David Locklar and Joe L. Torres.
“A city election has a different code than a general election,” said Socorro City Clerk Pat Salome, who supervises the filing process.
There are no party affiliations in municipal elections and the absentee voting procedure is different.
Salome also mentioned that the city ward designations are not related to geographic zones or population counts. Candidates can file in any ward they like, regardless of their domicile locations.
The drawing for ballot positions will be held Thursday, Jan. 7, at City Hall.
In Magdalena, Mayor James Wolfe will not be running for re-election.
Barbara Baca and Jack Fairweather, who both currently serve on the board of trustees, filed as mayoral candidates.
Two spots are up on the village’s board of trustees.
Eleanor “Dolly” Dawson is running for re-election. Tommy Torres and L. Diane Allen also filed as a candidate for trustee.
Although Tuesday was the filing date for candidates to appear on the ballot, others who are interested in running as write-in candidates can file on Tuesday, Jan. 12, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., at their respective city halls.
Contact Ether Ashe