Continuity wins: Wymer elected Rio Rancho mayor in runoff victory
Rio Rancho voters chose Paul Wymer as their next mayor Tuesday, handing the veteran city councilor a decisive win over challenger Alexandria Piland.
It was a windy election day in Rio Rancho Tuesday but it wasn’t the winds of change that were blowing.
Rio Rancho voters chose continuity Tuesday, electing District 4 City Councilor Paul Wymer as the city’s next mayor in the April 14 runoff election.
As of 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, Wymer was ahead of retired teacher and former Sandoval County Democratic Party chair Alexandria Piland, 9,913 votes (64%) to 5,575 (36%), according to unofficial results released by the city. He takes office May 1.
“We have a great working relationship and we will keep this city running the way it has been,” Wymer said Tuesday night. “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.”
Wymer, a licensed architect and planner who has lived in Rio Rancho for more than 40 years, ran on a platform of infrastructure investment, public safety pay increases and building on the city’s 2024 Affordable Housing Plan. He framed himself as the candidate for voters satisfied with outgoing three-term Mayor Gregg Hull’s direction. “If you think things are going well in the city, then I’m the person that you should put in the seat,” he told The 528 before the election.
Piland centered her campaign on water rates and road conditions.
The race went to a runoff after neither candidate cleared the 50% majority threshold in the March 3 municipal election, where Wymer led a six-candidate field with 45% of the vote to Piland’s 27%.
What’s next:
- Wymer takes office: May 1
- Sandoval County canvassing board certifies results: April 22
- Unofficial results:rrnm.gov/rrvotes