Taos County Campaign Politics: Read Between the Lines
As a pundit, it’s fun to make predictions and share one’s thoughts re: the upcoming primary in Taos County. During the recent Town of Taos election the issues were critical and the records of the incumbent were available. Due to a lack of news coverage and the nature of neighborhood politics, the County elections are more subject to personal relations. Unlike the municipal elections, none of the candidates appear to have well-organized and multi-faceted campaigns compared to the Barrone, Cantu, and Hahn juggernauts.
Historically, the natives tend to vote for family members and members of their villages. The newcomers often vote on the “issues.” Ethnic background plays an obvious role as does party affiliation. At the same time, los vecinos sometimes avoid voting for a neighbor or family member they know too well. Nothing is carved in stone. Low turnout or high-turn out can skew the results.
In the District One County Commission race (Barrone’s current district), Jim Fambro seems to have an edge on Sarah Medina Martinez, due to high name recognition in the community and the current desire for collaboration between town and county. Sarah has resources available if she chooses to use “them” but could also suffer due to incidental ties in the “Parking Lot” at KCEC Coop. Fambro has the edge in terms of qualifications and experience.
In District Two, Questa Mayor Mark Gallegos faces Young Darien Fernandez, who just ran as a write-in candidate for Taos Town Council. This district includes Taos precinct 16, Taos Pueblo, TSV, San Cristobal, Questa, Red River, Cerro, Amalia, and Costilla, The winner in June will face Virgil Martinez, a republican from Cerro and former county commissioner in November. Coffee shop pundits consider Virgil unbeatable: people aren’t just fond of Virgil, they “love” him. Virgil will work with the Town and knows the County Commissioners in Southern Colorado. While he wants attention paid to roads in his district, Virgil also recognizes that all Taosenos must battle to preserve water resources.
In District Five, Taos Canyon, Canon, parts of Weimer, redistricted parts of District 1, south of Merced and north of Canon By-pass west, as well as the Penasco Valley, former commissioner Manny Pacheco, Ben Tafoya of Canon, Michael Silva, former town councilor, an El Prado native, and Candyce O’Donnell are all in the running.
But Silva has very high negatives in Taos County: he voted to appeal McElroy’s decision against annexation and voted for the KCEC Command Center. He seems more interested in “dirt-work” contracts and “Dollar Stores” or personal profits than serving the public. He seems troubled by notions about “conflict of interest.”
Ben Tafoya of Canon might have the edge in his community and reportedly, in the Canyon and Weimar area. I don’t know how he stands in Penasco. Without money or a campaign organization I’m not sure how Candyce will do: she’s a long shot.
Manny Pacheco, despite his naysayers in Penasco, will garner support there and throughout the district due to his prior service. He knows the ropes and is accessible and sensible. Manny is the man to beat.
Democrats in the Sheriff’s race include Celedon Gallegos, TCSO deputy, Matthew Vigil, former state cop, Robert Rivera and Gabe Medina, former town cops, retired Judge Betty Gonzales-Martinez, Jerry Hogrefe, former town cop and former Red River Marshal, Rick Romero, TCSO deputy, and Steve Miera, TCSO deputy. The winner will face republican Rick Trujillo.
Robert Rivera should be strong in the north, Amalia and Costilla, and Questa. Rick Romero will be strong in Penasco. Hogrefe will pick up law-enforcement issue-oriented voters both in Red River and the north, and among Anglos. Celedon, I hear, is popular among the many people who know him. Like many in Taos I just don’t know that much about “all” the candidates.
Judge Betty Martinez—Gonzales is popular everywhere and could take it with the highest percentage of the vote, even if she finishes second to native sons in their villages. Plus she will benefit from her experience and gender. She’s a “wise” woman, who knows the law, unlike some cops, who violate “helter-skelter” the civil rights of the accused. It seems she and Hogrefe will be at the top due to “vote-splitting.”
In the Assessor’s race, Deputy Assessor Bobbi Deherrera is incumbent Darlene Vigil’s chosen successor and appears to have the most experience and best qualifications for the office but suffers from a lack of name recognition. (Editor’s Note: The state, not the assessor’s office, is generally responsible for tax rates and Ag land issues.)
Candidate Tammy Jaramillo is from Questa and works for the County’s indigent fund and Candidate Abel Montoya is a map technician in the Assessor’s department. Former County Commissioner and Candidate Andrew Chavez is well known for his controversial record.
Probate judge candidate Maxine Valerio Montoya is Chemo Valerio’s daughter. I don’t know candidate Paloma G. Romo. The democratic primary winner will face republican candidate and former school board member Michael Torrez in November.
Incumbent Magistrate Judge Ernie Ortega must work very hard to beat attorney and unknown candidate Robert Fitzgerald. Judge Ernie, like former Judge Betty, has been known to “jail the locals.” What can you say?
Cautionary note: The recent Town election, which was won based on the issues, is not indicative of what to expect in what appears to be a County “popularity” contest.