Alexandria Piland out-raised Paul Wymer in the first campaign finance reporting period of the Rio Rancho mayoral runoff โ and holds nearly double his cash on hand โ as both candidates make their final financial push before the April 14 election. Piland’s committee, Elect Alexandria, raised $18,185 in the first runoff reporting period to Wymer’s […]
Elections & Politics
Meet the new guard, same as the old guard: Rio Rancho councilors, judge sworn in for new terms
Three reelected city officials officially took their oaths of office Thursday night during a public ceremony at Rio Rancho City Hall, marking the transition to their new leadership terms that begin April 1. The ceremony, presided over by Mayor Gregg Hull, honored the victors of the March 3 Municipal Officer Election. Taking their oaths were […]
‘No Kings’ organizers plan for 40K & Stacey Abrams in rally, march through ABQ Sat.
By Kevin Hendricks — Organizers of Albuquerque’s “NO KINGS” rally are planning for more than 37,000 people to participate in a planned 3-mile march and rally on Saturday – prompting police to issue warnings of impromptu road closures along some of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. The “NO KINGS” movement began in 2025 and has since […]
Oops! Candidate for Gov forgot to file paperwork to make the ballot. Now what?
Republican voters may have one less candidate to choose from on their June primary ballot after one candidate failed to show up to file paperwork confirming his eligibility for the primary ballot. State Senator Steve Lanier, a first-term legislator from San Juan County, and Duke Rodriguez, a former health department secretary and cannabis business owner, […]
A $500,000 question: Mayoral runoff candidates agree on November elections, split on Voter ID
Fewer than 1 in 6 Rio Rancho residents voted in the March 3 election that will determine who runs New Mexico’s third-largest city โ and the roughly $500,000 it cost taxpayers to hold that election won’t fix a single pothole. City Councilor Paul Wymer and former Sandoval County Democratic Party chair Alexandria Piland square off […]
Whatever happened to Daniel Chavez, mayoral candidate charged with touching staffer?
By Jesse Jones, City Desk in The Paper. — In September, City Desk reported that prosecutors charged Albuquerque mayoral candidate Daniel Chavez after a campaign staffer accused him of inappropriate touching, a misdemeanor battery charge. Prosecutors have now dismissed the case.ย The 2nd Judicial District Attorneyโs Office dismissed the case on Feb. 20, 2026, in […]
Sandoval County election landscape takes shape with candidate filings
A wave of candidates descended on filing offices across New Mexico on March 10. In Sandoval County, more than two dozen individuals โ Democrats and Republicans alike โ formally declared their intentions to seek office in races spanning state legislative seats, county commissioner districts, the county sheriff’s office, and several judicial posts. The filings set […]
Continuity vs. change: Wymer, Piland offer Rio Rancho voters a clear choice inย runoff
City Councilor Paul Wymer and former Sandoval County Democratic Party chair Alexandria Piland will square off April 14 in a runoff election to determine who will succeed Mayor Gregg Hull, with the two candidates presenting voters a clear choice between continuity and change. Wymer led the six-candidate March 3 field with 6,240 votes, or 45%, […]
Former sheriff will file to run against BernCo sheriff John Allen in Dem primary
A 27-year law enforcement veteran will file to run against Bernalillo County John Allen in the June 2nd Democratic primary election, City Desk has learned. Phil Snedeker tells City Desk he will file qualifying paperwork and signatures Tuesday morning on local filing day. He has served in the criminal justice system for 47 years, according […]
Money talks: Rio Rancho mayoral runoff candidates lead in cash and votes
The two candidates who raised the most money in the Rio Rancho mayoral race are also the two headed to the April 14 runoff, according to campaign finance reports filed before the March 3 election and released publicly March 6. City Councilor Paul Wymer and former Sandoval County Democratic Party chair Alexandria Piland together raised […]


