If anyone was having second thoughts about running for city office, they've apparently laid them to rest for now. Tuesday, Dec. 5, was the only day for mayoral and City Council candidates to declare their intent to run, and Santa Fe's city clerk says she has certified a total of 14 candidates for the March 6, 2018 city election.
Based on extensive polling and also the fact that he's the only candidate in the race, SFR is calling the District 3 City Council seat for Roman Abeyta. Congrats, Mr. Councilor-Elect.
Only one race features an incumbent; Councilor Signe Lindell faces challenger Marie Campos in the District 1 contest. There are three candidates for the vacant seats in Districts 2 and 4. There are five candidates for the mayoral seat being given up by Javier Gonzales.
For now, we'll list them all by office, in alphabetical order. Thursday night, Dec. 7, they'll draw lots for ballot order and we'll get to work shifting faces around then.
The last day to register to vote in the election is Feb. 6, 2018. Absentee voting begins Jan. 28.
MAYOR
Peter Ives – Currently a first-term city councilor from District 2, Ives is an attorney at the Trust for Public Land.
Joseph Maestas – The current District 2 councilor had a stint as mayor of Española and is in his first term on the Santa Fe council. He's a civil engineer.
Kate Noble – A former economic development official under Mayor David Coss, Noble is now in private business and holds a seat on the Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education.
Ron Trujillo – A longtime city councilor from District 4 and an employee of the state Department of Transportation, Trujillo opposed the sugary-drink tax defeated by voters in May.
Alan Webber – Co-founder of Fast Company magazine and a former Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Webber has a history in progressive politics.
DISTRICT 1
Signe Lindell – A first-term councilor, Lindell has volunteered for city ethics boards and the Planning Commission. She's a retired professor and businesswoman.
Marie Campos – An artist, activist and realtor, Campos has been involved in community politics for years. She's run for council three times before.
DISTRICT 2
Joe Arellano – A businessman with a roofing company and a gym, Arellano has run for the District 2 seat before.
Nate Downey – Downey runs a permaculture business and is making his first bid for public office.
Carol Romero-Wirth – An attorney who specializes in public policy, has a long history of volunteer work in Santa Fe.
DISTRICT 4
JoAnne Vigil Coppler – The former head of the city's Human Resources Department has also worked for the state court system. She now runs her own real estate agency.
Eric Holmes – A longtime local businessman who owns a collection of promotional, printing and media companies.
Greg Scargall – A veterans resource specialist at Santa Fe Community College, Scargall is a Navy veteran who's been involved in community service.
