By CAT OZMENT
Los Alamos

For almost a year I have been laying the groundwork for a 2024 campaign for County Council. For much longer than that I have been preparing to serve as an elected official with a goal of building a more equitable Los Alamos that serves all our citizens. I am incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm and encouragement I’ve received for this endeavor. I am heartened by the number of people of diverse interests willing to work toward shared local goals.

However, with great disappointment I have accepted that I will not be running for Council in 2024.

It has become clear to me that I must prioritize my health before I can be an effective public servant. Right now, I cannot predict how soon I will again be able to commit to the consistency, engagement, and energy required of a Los Alamos County Councilor, so I cannot in good faith take the beginnings of my campaign through to Filing Day. I am deeply disappointed, but also looking ahead.

After I established campaign infrastructure in April 2023, a few extremely generous early donors contributed to show support before I began formal fundraising. To close my 2024 campaign, I am donating the balance of my campaign account to the Los Alamos non-profit Self Help, earmarked for rent and utilities assistance. I encourage everyone reading this to donate to the county Utilities Assistance Program or to Self Help if you are able and anyone needing assistance to seek it in those resources.

I will still be involved locally– following Council issues, engaging in policy work, and continuing to support other people’s efforts to make Los Alamos a stronger, more equitable community.

In the coming months, I will support candidates for Council whose values and positions prioritize people who are financially precarious in the wealthiest county in the state. I will support candidates who understand the context and landscape of public policy in Los Alamos and are willing to show bold leadership with innovative and ambitious legislation, as well as those candidates who acknowledge and attempt to address the long-standing problems with transparency and accountability throughout our local government.

I am confident that the work for a forward-thinking, inclusive Los Alamos will continue. I am eager to remain as involved as I am able and cautiously optimistic about what comes next for our community.

In a related matter: If you aren’t registered to vote or haven’t updated your registration recently, hop on over to nmvote.org and do so. It only takes a few minutes and is a great first step to engaging in the upcoming election.