The GOP’s newly appointed County Council candidate Steven Girrens, center, discusses local issues this evening at the Republican Headquarters, 1362 Trinity Dr., as Treasurer Norma Tech and GOP Chair Jordan Redmond look on. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By Carol A. Clark

The Los Alamos County Republican Party Central Committee unanimously appointed Republican Steven Girrens this evening to fill the County Council candidate vacancy left when Roger Waterman withdrew from the race July 23 due to business and professional issues.

“We are very sorry that Roger had to withdraw, but we understand and are so pleased that Steve was able to step in and fill the vacancy,” longtime Republican leader JoAnn Johnson said. “Steve is so capable and will make an outstanding councilor.”

Girrens told the Los Alamos Daily Post that he felt it was important to keep projects moving forward around the community.

“I’ve lived in Los Alamos for more than 33 years and the tap root runs deep … I’m committed to this town and I’m here to stay and I look forward to the next 33 years,” Girrens said. “We’ve got some very good things going and I feel compelled to keep that momentum going … there are infrastructure improvements underway and they have got to be completed … they won’t be without challenges but we must get these things accomplished.”

Girrens is married to Council Chair Sharon Stover whose term ends just as his will start if elected. She was attending a New Mexico Association of Counties meeting in Ruidoso when the local GOP appointed Girrens this evening.

The Committee discussed the fact that Stover is running for Los Alamos County Clerk and there is precedent of husbands and wives both serving elected office in this County.

Girrens is a graduate of the 2004 Charter Class Leadership Los Alamos and the 2010 Leadership New Mexico Core Program. He also served on the 2010-2012 Leadership New Mexico, Core Curriculum Committee.

Girrens community involvement and public service experience includes:

• Los Alamos Public Schools, Board of Education, President, Vice-President, Secretary – 2005-2009,
• Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission – 1995-1998,
• Los Alamos County Park and Recreation Board – 1985-1988,
• Little League Baseball, Volunteer Umpire – 1998 to present, and
• Member United Church of Los Alamos.

Girrens has a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Wichita State University and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University.

He is the Associate Director for Engineering Sciences at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Girrens and Stover have two children. Quinn is a third year law student at Denver University and Craig is a senior at Colorado State University.

Steven Girrens answers questions from GOP Central Committee members before they unanimously appointed him this evening to fill the County Council candidate vacancy that occurred recently. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

GOP Chair Jordan Redmond, left, discusses a point of order with Secretary Mike Weaver. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

From left, Steve Girrens, Rep. Jim Hall and Alan Kirk listen to Party officials talk about the upcoming election during Wednesday’s Central Committee meeting. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

GOP Central Committee members applaude Steven Girrens after they unanimously appointed him to fill the County Council candidate vacancy. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com