Randall Ryti Selected Unanimously as 2026 County Council Chair
On Jan. 6, 2026, Los Alamos County Council members unanimously elected Randall Ryti to serve as chair and Ryn Herrmann as vice chair for the year. The leadership choices underscore continuity and experienced stewardship as the council navigates municipal priorities through 2026.
Los Alamos County Council voted unanimously on Jan. 6, 2026, to name Randall Ryti chair for the coming year, with Ryn Herrmann unanimously elected vice chair. The decisions formalize the council’s leadership as it begins its calendar-year work on local governance, budgeting, and intergovernmental affairs.
Ryti is a three-term presence on the council, first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. He previously served as vice chair in 2020 and as chair in 2021 and 2022. His current second term on the council runs through Dec. 31, 2026. Herrmann joined the council more recently, elected in 2024, and her term extends through Dec. 31, 2028.
The chair and vice chair roles shape how the council conducts its business. The chair typically presides over meetings, helps set agendas, and represents the council in communications with county staff, regional partners, and state and federal entities. The vice chair supports those duties and steps in when the chair is unavailable. The unanimous votes signal clear internal consensus about leadership as the council addresses ongoing municipal responsibilities.
For Los Alamos County residents, the leadership slate means a measure of continuity at a time when municipal decisions on budgeting, public services, land use, and community planning demand steady oversight. Ryti’s prior experience as chair and vice chair suggests familiarity with council procedures and established working relationships with county administrators. Herrmann’s tenure, beginning in 2024, brings a more recent electoral mandate and a multi-year horizon for initiatives she may support through 2028.
Beyond local administration, council leadership matters for how Los Alamos engages with regional and national partners. Stable leadership can streamline coordination on grants, infrastructure projects, and regulatory matters that require collaboration with state agencies and federal institutions. Residents who follow council work are likely to see the effects of chair-led agenda setting in meeting priorities and timelines over the year.
Council members will continue to publish agendas and meeting notices through the county’s usual channels. Residents seeking to monitor or participate in council deliberations should consult those materials for items of interest as the 2026 session unfolds under the new chair and vice chair.
Sources:
Know something we missed? Have a correction or additional information?
Submit a Tip
