Wymer elected Rio Rancho mayor: What’s next?

Paul Wymer will be Rio Rancho’s next mayor, and he’s already thinking about what comes first when he walks into City Hall on May 1.

The District 4 city councilor defeated retired teacher and former Sandoval County Democratic Party chair Alexandria Piland in Tuesday’s runoff election, 10,394 votes (63%) to 6,096 (37%), according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office. Voter turnout was roughly 20% of the city’s 83,751 eligible voters.

“It’s very humbling to know that so many of our citizens showed up and supported me,” Wymer said Tuesday night at Turtle Mountain Brewing, where supporters gathered to watch returns. “I’m looking forward to representing our citizens in their entirety, just like I have done with our district.”

Wymer, a licensed architect and planner who has lived in Rio Rancho for more than 40 years, replaces outgoing three-term Mayor Gregg Hull, who is running for governor.

Wymer said his first order of business when he takes office May 1 will be diving into city finances.

“I believe we already have a budget meeting scheduled on May 1,” he said. “That’s the first thing we’re going to tackle.”

Beyond the numbers, Wymer said he plans to spend the early days of his administration making the rounds with city staff and getting acquainted with key personnel — what he described as the standard work of any transition.

He indicated he does not plan to shake up senior leadership in city administration.

“I see no change. I have no thoughts on the need or desire to change the key leadership on the fourth floor,” Wymer said, referring to the executive offices at City Hall. “They’ve been doing an excellent job. I’ve worked with them for six years, if not more than that. I see no reason to make changes.”

Wymer’s move to the mayor’s office will leave his District 4 council seat vacant — a situation the city says has not previously arisen since Rio Rancho was incorporated as a municipal government in 1981.

Wymer said the appointment of his successor will be left to the city council.

“The one change that we will need to make is the District 4 council seat,” he said. “That will be forwarded to the council for their decision.”

Under Section 2.06.B of the Rio Rancho City Charter, Wymer will have 60 days from the date the seat becomes vacant to appoint a qualified successor, subject to confirmation by the full Governing Body. If the council declines to confirm his choice, Wymer would have 45 days to name another candidate. The appointed successor would serve until the March 2028 municipal election, when the seat’s term expires.

Wymer led a six-candidate March 3 primary field with 45% of the vote. Because no candidate cleared the 50% threshold required for an outright win, he advanced to Tuesday’s runoff against Piland, who had finished second with 27%.

Wymer ran on a platform of infrastructure investment, public safety pay increases and building on the city’s 2024 Affordable Housing Plan, framing himself as a continuity candidate for voters satisfied with Hull’s direction.

Piland centered her campaign on water rates and road conditions.

“We have a great working relationship and we will keep this city running the way it has been,” Wymer said Tuesday. “I’m so excited to know that we’re going to keep it steered in the right direction. That was my goal since day one.”

The Sandoval County canvassing board is scheduled to certify results April 22. Wymer takes office May 1.