EDITOR’S NOTE: Here we are, another four years of Donald Trump. Some things have changed but others are the same. He apparently still has it out for journalists and the “enemies within.” (Whatever that means) But now we all have the pleasure of saying the majority of Americans picked a convicted felon to run the country. Nothing to see here. Election night also resulted in what seems like Republicans taking the House and Senate. What could go wrong?
There was actually some other stuff that happened on election night, though. Luckily the staff at The Paper. and its sister publication, City Desk ABQ have all the deets about some of the down-ballot candidates and issues.
Voters give ABQ City Council more say in terminating police, fire chiefs
Council president says results show voters want to see more accountability from the mayor
By Elizabeth McCall, City Desk ABQ
The Albuquerque City Council will have more say in terminating a police or fire chief after voters passed an amendment to change the city’s charter.
Voters also approved a city charter amendment to create a process for filling vacancies on a three-member committee that resolves disputes between the mayor and the council.
According to unofficial results from the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office, voters approved both ballot questions by 62% as of Wednesday.
“Passing these amendments to our charter shows an overwhelming desire for a more accountable mayor and police chief,” Council President Dan Lewis said.
The amendment allows the council to fire a police or fire chief without cause on a 7-2 vote. Police and fire chiefs would have an employment agreement with the city, which the mayor could terminate with cause. The council, however, would be able to fire a chief without cause.
Councilor Louie Sanchez, a frequent critic of the Albuquerque Police Department and Chief Harold Medina said he thinks both amendments “give extra checks and balances.”
“I think it’s important that we, as city councilors, have an opportunity to weigh in in reference to the police chief and the fire chief,” Sanchez said. “If we have a police chief or a fire chief that’s not doing their job, we should be able to act on those issues, because it’s an issue of public safety.”
Separation of powers amendment
The second charter amendment on the ballot will set a process to ensure vacancies on a committee that resolves disputes between the mayor and council are filled in a timely manner.
The amendment requires the mayor to appoint one member of the intragovernmental conference committee 30 days before the preceding appointee’s term expires or immediately after the appointee resigns. The city charter already requires the council to appoint another member. Those two members are required to appoint a third member to serve as the chair.
According to the amendment, “if either the mayor or City Council fails to name a replacement committee member within 60 days of vacancy, the other body shall make the appointment.”
Vasquez wins reelection to Congress
The win means New Mexico’s congressional delegation remains blue
By City Desk ABQ staff
Congressman Gabe Vasquez won his reelection campaign against Yvette Herrell by less than 5 percentage points, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office.
It was Herrell’s fourth try at representing New Mexico’s 2nd congressional district and it remained a nail-biter late into Tuesday night. The Associated Press called the race just before midnight.
Vasquez said in an emailed statement early Wednesday that he’s devoted to continuing his work in Congress and grateful for the “trust that our voters have placed in me and pledge to help every constituent that I represent.”
“It is that devotion and love of country that drives me to do this work,” Vasquez said. “Thank you, New Mexico, for the opportunity to serve you again. Si se puede, sí se pudo – y ahora – regresamos a trabajar. Que viva el segundo distrito de Nuevo Mexico!”
Herrell trailed Vasquez 52% to 48%.
Redistricting after the 2020 census made the district more Democratic, with more of Albuquerque within its boundaries. Vasquez ousted Herrell in 2022, winning the seat by 1,350 votes.
Both candidates ran unopposed in the 2024 primaries, setting up a long fight to November.
The campaign heated up in recent weeks, with Vasquez attempting to tie Herrell to former President Donald Trump, Project 2025 and anti-abortion legislation around the country.
Herrell released attack ads accusing Vasquez of using racial slurs and mentioned a 2005 police report that accused the congressman, then a student at New Mexico State University, of threatening to kill another student.
Vasquez was not charged or arrested in the matter.
Stansbury reelected to represent CD1
Her opponent, Steve Jones, praised the congresswoman for running ‘a clean and solid race.’
By Rodd Cayton, City Desk ABQ
Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury is headed for a second full term. She led Republican challenger Steve Jones 56% to 44%, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office
“Tonight, New Mexico chose hope, progress, and opportunity and reaffirmed our shared commitment to protecting our democracy, fighting for our rights, and safeguarding our precious planet,” Stansbury said in a statement. “As your congresswoman, I am truly honored and grateful to be entrusted with the honor of serving our communities. We stand at a crucial juncture in our nation’s history, facing challenges that will test our resilience and shape our future.”
Jones told City Desk ABQ he had called Stansbury to congratulate her and wish her well in her next term.
“I told her she ran a clean and solid race,” he said.
Jones also ran for the seat in 2020, as a write-in candidate with a message focused on reducing hyper-partisanship. He said that was one of his messages this year, along with increasing fiscal responsibility in the federal government.
Stansbury was elected to represent the 1st Congressional District in a 2021 special election after President Joe Biden appointed then-Rep. Deb Haaland secretary of the Interior. Stansbury won a full term the next year.
Heinrich beats Domenici by nearly 10 percentage points
The senator says ‘our work is far from over’
By Rodd Cayton, City Desk ABQ
Martin Heinrich won a third term in the U.S. Senate, according to unofficial election results from the secretary of state’s office. Voters supported him Tuesday over Republican challenger Nella Domenici 55% to 45%.
“Tonight’s victory belongs to every New Mexican who shares our belief that we can build a better, brighter future for our people,” Heinrich said in a victory statement. “But even as we take in this moment, we know that our work is far from over. This election was about much more than any one campaign or candidate. It was about the future we’re building together for New Mexico.”
The Democratic senator said he plans to work on defending women’s rights, combating climate change, bringing down prescription-drug and energy costs and addressing the fentanyl crisis.
Domenici ran on lowering the cost of living and addressing what she called a “crime and drug crisis.”
When the two clashed in an Oct. 14 debate, Domenici accused Heinrich of being sexist when the senator suggested Domenici would vote for a supporter of a national abortion ban for Senate majority leader.
Heinrich said Domenici was out to buy the Senate seat with the support of “extreme Republicans.”
State Democrats have also questioned the New Mexico credentials of Domenici, a former hedge fund financial officer, whom they say owns multimillion-dollar homes in Connecticut and New York.
During the debate, Domenici, daughter of six-term Sen. Pete Domenici, said she and her husband have owned a home in Santa Fe for more than 20 years.
“Tonight, we celebrate, but tomorrow, the hard work continues,” Heinrich’s statement concluded. “Thank you again, New Mexico. Thank you for standing by me, for putting your faith and trust in me, and for believing in our shared vision. I am honored, humbled, and ready to keep fighting for our future.”
Domenici’s campaign did not respond to several requests for comment.
BernCo voters approve millions in bonds
Funding will go toward housing, parks and transportation
By Rodd Cayton, City Desk ABQ
Bernalillo County voters approved $40.5 million in bond spending, meant for improvements large and small in every corner of the county, according to unofficial election results.
The bond package consisted of six separate questions.
The parks and recreation question passed with 79% support as Wedensday. It includes $11.7 million for improvements, new fields and infrastructure for the Mesa del Sol Regional Outdoor Sports Complex and replacement of the skate park at Los Vecinos Community Center.
Voters supported $10.7 million in transportation bonds, by a margin of 74% to 26%. Those projects include the third phase of the Bridge Boulevard construction project and improvements to Atrisco Vista Boulevard and Coors Boulevard.
Bonds for public safety facilities, fleet, and county buildings passed 74% to 26% to the tune of $8.8 million. That money will go toward planning, design and construction of a new early childhood education center, sustainability upgrades at county-owned buildings, roof replacements at two fire stations and other projects.
A request for $5.2 million for storm drainage and utilities was approved by 78% of voters. That money will clear the way for federal grants for drainage projects (many require a local match), lift station upgrades and a flood zone plan.
Voters also approved $2.5 million for libraries, 72% to 28%. That money will go toward capital improvements and expanding the materials collection at 19 library branches.
The smallest amount, $1.7 million for public housing, has been described by county officials as part of an overarching local strategy for combating homelessness. County commissioners are also seeking more than $100 million from the New Mexico Legislature.
The housing bond money will go toward improvements at the Seybold Village and El Centro housing complexes in the South Valley. The question had the lowest support in the early stage of counting ballots, with 69% of voters in favor.
County commissioners in public meetings this spring expressed a desire to prioritize projects that could be completed, or fully funded, with the bond money.
The county places a general obligation bond package every other year. The bonds are sold to investors, who are paid back with interest from county revenues.