NEWS
Rio Rancho voters to pick next mayor
Paul Wymer and Alexandria Piland finish up campaigns in battle to replace Gregg Hull
Published
Modified
Rio Rancho mayoral candidates District 4 City Councilor Paul Wymer and ward chair of the Sandoval Democratic Party Alexandria Piland made their final pitches to voters and thanked supporters as they await their fates on Tuesday.
鈥淚 feel like I鈥檝e got a real shot at this and feel the citizens are behind me,鈥� Piland said. 鈥淚 believe it will be a majority of the citizens that will be behind me tomorrow and I鈥檓 looking forward to getting to work.鈥�
In the March 3 election, Wymer and Piland finished first and second with 45% and 27% of the vote, respectively, according to the New Mexico Secretary of State鈥檚 website. Because no one received a majority of the vote, the race went to a runoff that will wrap up Tuesday.
The winner will replace three-term Mayor Gregg Hull, who has held the position since 2014 and is not seeking reelection. He is currently campaigning for the Republican nomination in the New Mexico gubernatorial race.
While the race is nonpartisan, each candidate has received endorsements from both major political parties. Wymer has been endorsed by the Republican Party of New Mexico and the Republican Party of Sandoval County. Piland, on the other hand, said she received several endorsements including from U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico.
If elected on Tuesday, she said she wants to tackle infrastructure issues and increase communication between the city and residents, 鈥渕aking sure it鈥檚 a dialogue, not a monologue.鈥�
鈥淚f they know that we鈥檙e going to be out there and we鈥檙e going to be talking to people (and) hear their concerns and needs then they will feel like they鈥檙e more invested in the city,鈥� Piland said.
Attempts were made to reach Wymer for comment, but he did not respond as of Monday evening. However, he has used social media to make last-minute pitches to prospective voters and thank supporters.
鈥淚鈥檓 truly humbled by the encouragement, conversations, and belief in our vision for Rio Rancho,鈥� Wymer said in one post. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to the opportunity to serve as your mayor and continue moving our city forward.鈥�
Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at .
The winner will begin their term on May 1, according to the city.
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
