Official results from Tuesday's (March 2) municipal election were canvassed on Thursday, at Socorro City Hall, with Magistrate Judge Jim Naranjo confirming voter counts.

Mayoral incumbent Ravi Bhasker won by a wide margin with 1,221 votes, or 83.09 percent, to Mark A. Santomenna's 248 (16.91 percent). This will be Bhasker's sixth term in office.

"I am grateful for the confidence people have in me," Bhasker said in a March 2 telephone interview. "We will continue to do the best we can, like we have for the past 20 years."

In Ward 1, five candidates sought the vacant seat left by former city councilor Chuck Zimmerly, who decided not to seek re-election. Nick Fleming captured 1,036 of the votes (65.82) beating out Noah Jaramillo, who received 238 (15.15), followed by Jean Fraissinet's 158 votes (10.06) of the ballots cast. Harold Baca came in with 125 (7.96) and Samuel Pino received 16 votes (1.02).

"I'm amazed and very humbled," Fleming said. "I had good candidates running against me I'm going to start my term with my three L's — I'm going to look, listen and learn. It's going to be enjoyable."

All incumbents retained their seats in Wards 2, 3 and 4.

Ward 2 incumbent Donald Monette, who ran unopposed, gained 1,292 votes.

"I'd like to thank the other candidates and the people of Socorro for their trust and their confidence," Monette said in a March 2, interview. It's rewarding that your hard work and dedication have been rewarded in this way to be able to run unopposed."

Ward 3 winner was incumbent Gordon "Gordy" Hicks. Hicks received 1,103 (71.91) of votes cast, while challenger George Foulenfont took 430 votes (28.09).

"It feels good to be re-elected with the numbers we had and it's nice to have the support of the great people of Socorro," Hicks said. "It was neat to see such a clean race."

In Ward 4, incumbent Ernest Pargas, Jr. was re-elected, winning 1,058 votes (67.91), while Joe L. Torres received 409 (26.30) and David J. Locklar came in with 90 votes (5.79).

"I'm just grateful to the people of Socorro for giving me the opportunity to lead them into the future," Pargas said. "I'll keep working on the things I've been working on, changing community norms with regard to underage alcohol use, public safety and substance abuse."

A total of 1,589 ballots were cast during the Socorro municipal election held March 2, two more than previously reported based on two absentee ballots that were confirmed and counted, as permitted by state statute, when the election was canvassed.

City Clerk Pat Salome said voter turnout was less than in the previous election in 2008, where 1,660 voters headed to the polls.

"Normally when a mayor runs there is more voter turnout," Salome said.

The elected officials will be sworn in Monday, March 8, as required by law, however, they will be a swearing in ceremony as well at the next city council meeting on Monday, March 15, at 6 p.m., where they will officially take their spot on the council.

Contact Jackie Schlotfeldt