Six Candidates File for Rio Rancho Mayor as Council Races Solidify

Rio Rancho residents submitted a dozen declarations of candidacy by the city’s 5 p.m. filing deadline on Jan. 6, creating a six-way race for mayor and contests for several city council seats and the municipal judgeship. The city released an unofficial roster of candidates the same day; the city clerk will notify candidates whether their declarations qualified and publish the official list on Jan. 9.

The six mayoral contenders are Paul Wymer, Michael Meek, Aleitress Owens-Smith, Zachary Darden, Alexandria Piland and Corrine Rios. The filing produced immediate reactions from several candidates. Sandoval County Commission Chairman Michael Meek, who filed early, said the day "was very exciting" and called filing "the very first official step to trying to make a difference in the city of Rio Rancho." Alexandria Piland said she and her team were "ready to campaign" and "we're going to take it to the finish line." Corrine Rios, a former candidate for the state House, filed after a morning of activity while continuing a lawsuit against the city alleging certain ordinances and rate increases were handled unlawfully and prematurely; she said she felt "genuinely excited" to file. Paul Wymer, currently a District 4 councilor, described filing as a milestone as he awaited his opponents. Aleitress Owens-Smith, identified as a local businesswoman, said she felt "amazing" and hoped to "start a new legacy" if elected. Zachary Darden, a 28-year-old who described himself as a conservationist and noted he may be the youngest candidate, said filing made him feel "empowered."

Several council contests also took shape. Incumbent Jeremy Paul Lenentine filed for District 2 and incumbent Bob Tyler filed for District 3, each appearing on the unofficial list with no listed challengers. District 5 incumbent Karissa D. Culbreath faces challengers Calvin Ducane Ward and Seth E. Velasquez. Incumbent G. Robert Cook filed to retain the municipal judge post.

For voters, the filing period’s close marks the start of a formal campaign window that will determine who controls the city’s executive and legislative agendas. The mayoral field’s size increases the likelihood that the winning candidate could prevail without a dominant majority, heightening the importance of voter turnout and candidate engagement. The presence of a lawsuit tied to ordinances and rate increases underscores legal and fiscal issues that could figure prominently in campaign debates and the next city council’s agenda.

Residents should monitor the city clerk’s official candidate certification on Jan. 9 and review candidate statements and forum schedules ahead of the March 3 municipal election to assess how each contender plans to address growth, municipal services and city finances.