Recounts Confirm Tight Results in Valencia County Council Races

Election recounts in two Valencia County council races were completed and produced no major changes to the initial results, officials confirmed. In Los Lunas District 3, Matthew Chavez finished with 197 votes, while Naithan Gurule received 193 votes after the recount. Incumbent Cruz Munoz, who sought re election, received 175 votes in the Nov. 3 Regular Local Election.

In Bosque Farms, two open seats were decided. Manuel Zamora led the field with 519 votes and secured one of the seats. The second seat was decided by a narrow margin between James Opie Bruhn and Dolly Wallace. Bruhn finished with 327 votes, and Wallace received 322. The recount upheld Bruhn at 327 votes, confirming him as the second winning candidate.

These two local recounts were part of a larger statewide effort. Election officials conducted 34 recounts across New Mexico this year, and the New Mexico State Canvass Board met to certify recount results. The board certified the totals on Nov. 25, with the recount tallies matching the originally reported votes in these contests.

For residents, the outcome has direct implications. Village councils make decisions on municipal budgets, land use, public safety services, and local appointments. A single council vote can influence the direction of those policies, and the closeness of these races highlights how a small number of ballots can alter village leadership and priorities.

The recounts also reinforce the role of electoral safeguards and the need for transparency in vote counting. Close contests can prompt additional scrutiny and administrative work, and they place a premium on accurate voter rolls, accessible polling, and clear procedures for challenged ballots. Voters in Valencia County who want to ensure their participation matters should confirm their registration details and plan to take part in future local elections, where turnout can be decisive.

Local officials will move forward with seating the confirmed winners and with the regular responsibilities of village government. The confirmed results provide certainty for council organization and for municipal planning ahead.