By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Libertarian candidate Chris Luchini of White Rock has withdrawn from the race against Democrat incumbent Christine Chandler of Los Alamos for New Mexico House Dist. 43.

Luchini, who is chair of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico, won the June 4, 2024, Primary Election against fellow Libertarian Phillip Mach of Los Alamos. Then on July 26, 2024, Luchini submitted a Statement of Withdrawal of Candidacy to the Los Alamos County Clerk.

Also on July 26, 2024, the Los Alamos County Clerk received a Declaration of Candidacy for Phillip M. Mach along with a “Party Nomination Vacancy Form” from the Libertarian Party of New Mexico naming Mach as the person nominated to fill the vacancy created by Luchini’s withdrawal.

However, on the Party Nomination Vacancy Form, the date of the party central committee meeting to select the nominee to fill the vacancy is listed as July 23, 2024, which is three days before the vacancy occurred.

In a letter dated Sept. 6, 2024, from the Secretary of State’s Office (SOS) to Luchini, State Elections Director Mandy Vigil informed Luchini that the SOS found the party central committee nomination was premature and not valid and determined that Mach cannot be qualified to appear on the ballot.

When contacted today by telephone asking why he withdrew from the race, Luchini responded, “I have no comment.”

Now running unopposed, Rep. Chandler will speak and answer questions at this evening’s League Of Women Voters of Los Alamos (LWV) Forum in the Student Center, Building 2, at UNM-Los Alamos.

Outgoing County Clerk Naomi Maestas will explain the voting procedures. Kristin Henderson, Chair of the UNM-LA Advisory Board, will explain the UNM-LA General Obligation Bonds question.

Unopposed candidate Michael Redondo, running for Los Alamos County Clerk will speak and answer questions.

All five candidates for County Council will introduce themselves and answer questions:

• Republican Incumbent David Reagor;
• Democrat Incumbent Denise Derkacs;
• Libertarian James Wernicke;
• Democrat Beverly Neal-Clinton; and
• Democrat Ryn Herrmann.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. The Forum will begin at 7 p.m. As always for the LWV Forums, members of the Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers will serve as timekeepers.

For a link to online information about the candidates locally, statewide and around the nation, please check out Vote411 at https://www.vote411.org/

For members of the public unable to attend this evening’s forum in person, the Los Alamos Daily Post will livestream it on ladailypost.com.