Posted inPolitics & Elections, Sandoval County

Sandoval County residents have one week to file to run for local office

Sandoval County residents interested in running for local office have exactly one week left to prepare their candidacy paperwork before the mandatory filing deadline. All candidates for the Nov. 4, 2025, Regular Local Election must file their Declaration of Candidacy forms on Tuesday, Aug. 26, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the County Administration […]

Posted inSandoval County

From controversy to candidacy: Former Belen police chief seeks Sandoval County’s top law enforcement job

A former police chief with a complex law enforcement background announced his candidacy for Sandoval County Sheriff, promising to expand drug enforcement and mental health crisis response for the county’s 154,000 residents. Victor Rodriguez, who previously served as a lieutenant with the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, told supporters at a July campaign rally that he’s […]

Posted inNew Mexico

Rio Rancho pharmacist running for House

Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke says she loves New Mexico and wants to be part of lifting the state that has given her multiple opportunities to meet its full potential. Okpareke is running as a Republican candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat in next year’s election, challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Okpareke, 41, lives […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections, Sandoval County

Polling places list approved, but perhaps not final

Sandoval County election officials say they’ll keep looking for new places for voters to cast their ballots this fall. County commissioners voted July 23 to approve an updated list of polling places that drops (for now) seven locations used last year.  Joey Dominguez, chief deputy county clerk, told commissioners that some voting sites are unavailable […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections, Sandoval County

Sandoval County Undersheriff announces bid for 2026 sheriff’s race

Sandoval County Undersheriff Jose “Joe” Gonzales has announced his candidacy for sheriff in the 2026 election, positioning himself as an experienced law enforcement leader ready to build on recent departmental innovations that have expanded services across the county’s 160,000 residents. Gonzales, who currently serves as undersheriff under Jesse James Casaus, would be running for a […]

Posted inNew Mexico, Politics & Elections

Haaland warns of rural healthcare crisis, opposes federal healthcare legislation

Deb Haaland, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for New Mexico governor, held a press conference outside a hospital in Española on Tuesday to criticize federal healthcare legislation she says will devastate rural communities across the state. Speaking in front of the hospital, Haaland warned that the “Big Billionaire Bill” would strip Medicaid coverage from […]

Posted inNew Mexico, Politics & Elections

Haaland to launch rural tour focused on affordability as 2026 governor’s race takes shape

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will launch her “Lift Up New Mexico Tour” on Saturday, July 12, with stops in rural communities across the state as she campaigns for the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial nomination with a focus on making life more affordable for New Mexicans. The tour comes as affordability pressures mount statewide, despite […]