EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Las Cruces is about to enter into a new era in city government.
Tuesday, Nov. 7, the city’s voters went to the polls to select a new mayor. Incumbent Mayor Ken Miyagishima decided not to run again after serving 16 years in office.
Seven candidates are vying to succeed Miyagishima. Kasandra Gandara was in the early lead after the first round of voting was released at 7:30 p.m.
Gandara has 2,952 votes or 40 percent, followed by Eric Joseph Enriquez with 2,438 votes or 33 percent.
Here are how the other candidates stood after the first round of results were released: Isabella Solis, 986 votes or 13 percent; Mike Tellez, 515 votes or 7 percent; Gina Ortega, 170 votes or 2 percent; Alexander Paige Baca Fresquez, 165 votes or 2 percent; and Mariah Hernandez, 153 votes or 2 percent.
Las Cruces uses “ranked choice” voting for races with more than two candidates.
Three City Council seats are also up for grabs in Las Cruces.
In District 1, Cassandra McClure has the early lead with 459 votes or 44 percent., followed by Daniel Gordon Buck, 230 votes or 22 percent; Jason Daniel Estrada, 224 votes or 21 percent; Mark O’Neill, 74 votes or 7 percent; and Patrick Potter, 64 votes or 6 percent.
In District 2, incumbent Tessa Abeyta is the early leader with 545 votes or 52 percent to 506 votes or 48 percent for former Mayor Bill Mattiace.
In District 4, incumbent Johana Bencomo is the early leader with 609 votes or 54 percent, followed by Gabriel Duran Jr., 329 votes or 29 percent; Lorenzo Medina, with 107 votes or 10 percent; and Ramon O. Ortega, with 74 votes or 7 percent.
The Dona Ana College Community College District is asking for authorization to issue up to $16 million of general obligation bonds. “Yes” is ahead with 7,104 voters or 73 percent, while “no” is at 2,626 votes or 27 percent.
Gadsden Independent School District is asking for a $2 mill levy on each $1,000 valuation for capital improvements. “Yes” is ahead with 258 votes or 64 percent, with “no” at 147 or 36 percent.
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