View of Los Alamos County Municipal Building Tuesday at 1000 Central Ave. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

It’s that time again. The campaign buttons and signs will soon be a common sight in town because elections are approaching.

In fact, Tuesday, March 8, is filing day for candidates in the 2022 primary elections. The Post will be there throughout the day to provide full coverage.

Positions on the ballot include:

• Four Los Alamos County Council positions
• County Assessor
• Municipal Judge
• Magistrate Judge
• Probate Judge
• Sheriff
• Land Commissioner
• State Representative

Los Alamos Republican Party Chair Bill McKerley reported this week that so far, no Republican candidates have publicly announced a run for office.

Democratic Party of Los Alamos Chair Catherine Ozment shared the following candidates:

County Council

Council Chair Randall Ryti

Incumbents Randall Ryti and Melanee Hand are planning to run for seats on council. Ryti has served one term already on council and Hand is finishing the term vacated by former Councilor James Robinson.

“I am running for re-election to the Los Alamos County Council,” Ryti said. “It has been a privilege to serve as councilor for the last three plus years. After the March 8 filing date, I will have more information on my priorities for a second term and my plans for community outreach during the campaign.”

Councilor Melanee Hand

“I am planning on running for the election and will submit my declaration of candidacy on March 8 for the 2022 primary election,” Hand said. “I hope to use my years of work and volunteer experience for making educated decisions on key Los Alamos County priorities and plans. I want to influence the direction we go to make this County a great place to work, live, and play, and also address regional and national trends that impact our community as issues arise.”

Possible Council candidate Aaron Walker

Aaron Walker announced at a recent Democratic meeting his intention to run for a seat on council, however, told the Post Wednesday that he is now giving it more thought and remains uncommitted.

Councilor David Izraelevitz is completing his final term on council. He leaves the seat as a record-holder; Izraelevitz said he believes he has the longest service on County Council – having two full terms and part of a previous councilor’s term. However, former Councilor Morris Pongratz holds the record. He served on council for four terms in the ’80’s, a two year and a four-year term in the 90’s and a 7-month term around 2018.

Councilor David Izraelevitz

“It’s certainly a lot of work and time, but it’s been very rewarding,” he said. “I feel like I learned a lot about the community and the needs of the community. I enjoyed meeting people who are involved in lots of ways in the County … I am proud of one big thing; I am proud of the teen center – that we finally got a nice teen center for our youth. I know we tried several times before, but I think we got the right approach by investing in the facility and staffing it correctly and getting it in the right place.”

Another thing Izraelevitz said he is proud of is ensuring the County received gross receipts tax (GRT) from the laboratory. Before legislation was passed on the issue, he said a lot of things were on hold because of the uncertainty surrounding laboratory GRT but the council and County staff were able to work with state legislation to receive that GRT, “so we can invest in the community.”

Once he leaves council, he looks forward to “certainly spending time with my grandchildren, which I did not have when I started on council.”

Izraelevitz added that he also looks forward to continuing his work with the Los Alamos Community Foundation and volunteering with local organizations.

Councilor Sara Scott

Councilor Sara Scott also is leaving council. She announced that she does not plan to seek a second term.

“I’ve so much appreciated the opportunity to serve the community on County Council for the past three plus years,” Scott said. “I love the work and it’s been an honor and a pleasure to have had the chance to engage with so many amazing folks. Hats off to all of the talented and dedicated county staff, to so many able and active community volunteers, and all of the others in our town that work every day to keep Los Alamos and White Rock the wonderful places they are while finding ways to make us even better. However, I won’t be seeking reelection. This job requires and deserves a significant dedication of time and attention, and while it was a difficult decision not to run again, at this point I’m looking forward to having a bit more free time for family, travel and other fun stuff! I feel so fortunate to have called Los Alamos home for more than 30 years – I’ll look forward to other ways to contribute in the future.”

Judicial candidate Catherine Taylor

Magistrate Judge

Catherine Taylor has announced her intention to run for magistrate court judge. Taylor hopes to fill the position Judge Pat Casados will be vacating Dec. 31.

“As an attorney with over 20 years of experience, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as Magistrate Judge for Los Alamos County,” Taylor said.

Judge Casados served as the local magistrate judge for 20 years.

“I’m very proud to serve to the County of Los Alamos and the state judiciary of the State of New Mexico,” Casados said, Adding that some of the things she is most proud of during her tenure is moving into the new courthouse. “That’s been a big step for us.”

Judge Pat Casados

“Another achievement was making sure magistrate and district courts have come to Los Alamos “and making sure we have that representation in the County,” Casados said.

She also served on the New Mexico Magistrate Judges Association for 20 years. Eight of those years serving as secretary and four as president.

“I am proud to have brought services and continue to provide services to the people of Los Alamos,” Casados said.

Judicial candidate Michael Redondo

Probate Judge

Probate Judge Michael Redondo said he plans to run for re-election.

“At this time, I am currently planning on running in the 2022 Election to retain my position as the Los Alamos County Probate Judge,” Redondo said. “I have found serving as Probate Judge to be rewarding despite the many challenges of the last couple of years. In addition to striving to provide timely and efficient care and service to those who need to interact with the Probate Court, I also have the great pleasure be available to conduct wedding ceremonies in Los Alamos County. I am particularly proud of the fact that, thanks in large part to the hard work and diligence of our County Clerk’s Office, that service was available throughout the pandemic without interruption. It is my pleasure to serve the community, and I hope that I will be able to continue to do so.”

Judge Elizabeth Allen

Municipal Judge

Municipal Judge Elizabeth Allen said she plans to run for re-election. During her first term, Allen said she instituted changes in municipal court.

“The first year I started, I met with staff, and we decided to go paper lite or paperless,” Allen said. “We moved everything to online as much as possible. And that was huge because when the pandemic happened, we had no down time. We didn’t have to cancel court or continue cases. Courts throughout the whole state spent months trying to get to where we were, trying to get remote court. Some couldn’t do it.”

Another big achievement, Allen said, was to sign up for online interpretation services, which give greater access to fulfill a variety of needs.

“It’s been such a pleasure serving the people in the community in this position and I am hopeful to be able to do it again,” Allen said.

Sheriff Joe Granville

County Sheriff

Sheriff Joe Granville is running for re-election he said to continue the successes his office has experienced through his first term.

“I had the great benefit of working with Senior Office Specialist Lisa Gonzales, who maintained the sex offender registry,” Granville said. “After Ms. Gonzales retired, Senior Office Specialist Desiree Miranda-Mendonca was hired on. Ms. Miranda-Mendonca has continued the great work and helped to make the office run efficiently. I am proud that my office has not requested a budget increase during my tenure, nor will it during my term in office.”

“We have a good process in place, and I just want to maintain that,” he added. “I thank my friends and neighbors for entrusting me with this office and ask for the opportunity to serve another term.”

County Assessor candidate George Chandler

County Assessor

George Chandler has announced his run for County Assessor.

“I liked to make sure the County offices are filled with competent people, and I’ve been the Assessor before. The Assessor now has done an excellent job and I want to continue following in his shoes,” Chandler said.

He added that he previously served as County Assessor from 1991-1994.

County Assessor Ken Milder is wrapping up his final term.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as County Assessor,” Milder said. “A key reason is my staff, all of whom are recognized throughout New Mexico as being top performers in their field. The NM Property Tax Division, that annually evaluates the office’s performance, repeatedly complements the office and holds us up as an example of sound assessment practices. Citizens have also commented on staff knowledge, professionalism and courtesy. I cannot take credit for this. Day-to-day operation of the office is run by my Chief Deputy Assessor, Marty Martinez. Both Marty and his predecessor, Joaquin Valdez, built a culture of service to the community. Being Los Alamos County Assessor is a part-time job (the only part-time assessor in New Mexico) and it is my staff that makes me look good. I will miss being a small part of their team.”

Regarding state elected offices, two locals announced their intentions to run for re-election.

Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard

New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands

New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard is running a second term.

“Four years ago, when you first elected me to be the first woman, first Latina, first educator land commissioner in the history of our state, I made some bold promises; to hold the oil and gas industry accountable, stop the use of fresh water for fracking and triple the amount of renewable energy on state land,” Garcia Richard said. “Not only have I done all those things, and more, but I did so while making the most money for public schools than any other commissioner in history! $1 billion dollars! In 2019, 2020 and 2021. I’m running for reelection because I’m just getting started! And there’s so much more to do!”

Rep. Christine Chandler

State Representative for Dist. 43

Rep. Christine Chandler is running for her third term in the New Mexico House of Representatives. She was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2020.

“I’m looking forward to representing Los Alamos and the rest of District 43 as the NM House continues to advance bold policies that support all New Mexicans,” Chandler said. “We have made great progress in strengthening public education, protecting the environment, and supporting working families. The state is poised to see an expansion and diversification of its economy. I thank the community for its support.”

Editor’s Note: Los Alamos Daily Post Publisher Carol A. Clark contributed to this story.