Rio Rancho residents who live in the city’s District 4 have until noon on May 26 to apply for appointment to a council seat that became vacant when Mayor Paul Wymer took office May 1 — triggering a process the city has never used in its 45-year history where a sitting mayor must replace his own council position.
Wymer vacated the District 4 seat when he was sworn in as mayor, and under Section 2.06.B of the Rio Rancho City Charter, he now has 60 days to appoint a qualified successor. That appointment requires confirmation by the full Governing Body — the mayor and council combined. The appointed successor would serve through the next regular municipal election, expected in 2028, when Wymer’s original council term expires. Interested residents can apply at rrnm.gov/D4vacancy.
As The Paper. in Rio Rancho reported before the election, this particular appointment scenario with a new mayor replacing himself on the council has not previously arisen since Rio Rancho incorporated as a municipal government in 1981. If the Governing Body declines to confirm Wymer’s choice, he would have 45 days to name another candidate — a process that repeats until the council confirms an appointment. To qualify, applicants must live within District 4 boundaries, be at least 18, be a registered voter, and have no felony convictions. The seat carries an annual salary of $22,113.84.
District 4 covers a large swath of south-central and southeastern Rio Rancho, roughly bounded by Unser Blvd SE to the west, the Abrazo Road area to the north, Southern Blvd SE to the south, and Pat D’Arco Highway to the east. Residents can confirm whether they live within District 4 at rrnm.gov/212/City-Council-Districts.
Apply for the District 4 seat:
- Deadline: Noon, Tuesday, May 26, 2026
- Apply online: rrnm.gov/D4vacancy
- District 4 map: rrnm.gov/212/City-Council-Districts
- Salary: $22,113.84/year