November 27 – Just weeks after voters cast their ballots in a presidential election described by many as the most critical of their lifetimes, another highly anticipated contest looms.
Two candidates — both political newcomers — have filed and announced their intention to enter the 2025 race to become Santa Fe’s next mayor.
Tarin Nix, a political consultant and deputy commissioner for public affairs for the State Land Office, has launched an initiative called “Fix Our City Different,” which she describes as a precursor to a mayoral campaign. Meanwhile, Oscar Rodriguez, a former Taos city manager and Santa Fe chief financial officer, announced his candidacy this week in an op-ed published in The New Mexican.
But elected officials, some of whom have been mentioned as potential mayoral candidates or have expressed interest in the race, remain reluctant to publicly announce whether they have decided to run. Some said in September that they were focused on the general election and were not ready to make a decision on next year’s municipal elections.
One of them was Mayor Alan Webber, who is in his second term. When Webber was recently asked if he plans to seek a third term, he said it was too early to comment. “We are still recovering from the general election,” he said.
The official filing deadlines for the 2025 local elections won’t come until the summer. However, if Webber chooses to run, other contenders will likely need a significant amount of time to raise campaign funds and build brand awareness. In 2021, Webber raised nearly $500,000 – a record for the office.
Rodriguez said in an interview that he has chosen to run for mayor now because he believes he will need a long runway to get his name out there. “I just don’t have the level of identity that others might have, especially those who are on the run [City] Already in the Council,” he said.
Councilwoman Carol Romero-Wirth — whose District 2 seat is also up for election in November 2025 — declined to comment in September on whether she plans to seek higher office; like Webber, she cited a focus on the general election. She did not respond to multiple requests for comment this week about whether she plans to run for re-election or make a bid for mayor.
Fellow District 2 Councilman Michael Garcia, whose political future is the subject of much speculation, said in September that he was “seriously considering running” for mayor. More recently, however, he said it was too early for him to discuss plans.
Garcia, who was re-elected for a second term in November 2023, did not have to give up his council seat to run for mayor.
In a statement last week, Garcia said it was an “honor” to be discussed as a potential candidate.
“I will always fight to ensure that residents have a local government that represents them and their interests,” he said. “I am still in the process of taking the necessary time with my family to make this important decision.”
Focus on city services
Nix and Rodriguez based their decision to enter the mayoral race on a desire to improve what they say are inadequate or failing city services.
Nix released a video earlier this month describing her Fix Our City Different initiative and describing what she sees as problems with city services due to “a lack of will.”
“The majority of our problems could have been solved with real leadership and common sense,” she said.
Rodriguez wrote in his campaign op-ed that fixing the city’s basic services “will only improve the quality of life for our community, but also build the strength to tackle bigger, more complex problems.”
He said in an interview that he hopes people will be ready for an issue-focused race.
He quoted a quote from famed Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi. After taking over the team, Lombardi said he would turn the tide, not by making drastic changes or replacing players, but by becoming “brilliant at the core.”
Rodriguez said the city needs more attention to maintenance and a system for addressing potholes and other problems as they arise.
“A big part of providing quality services is preventing problems,” he says. He also raised concerns about high-level vacancies in the city, which currently lacks a permanent city manager and community development director.
Rodriguez served as the city’s chief financial officer for nearly two years before leaving in 2016 for a new job at the New Mexico Finance Authority, where he has remained since.
He believes he will be able to hit the ground running.
“I am confident that I can step into this role and have a significant immediate impact on morale, on organizational transparency, on quality of service, etc.,” he said.
Nix had similar sentiments about improving city services.
“If we can’t perform the basic functions of City Hall – namely infrastructure, roads, transportation, public safety and public health – how do we come up with really big ideas that move our community forward?” she said in an interview.
She pointed to a recent, short-lived expiration of the city’s contract with the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society as evidence that the city would be “difficult” to say it is providing basic services.
She said the response to Fix Our City Different has been positive. “I think people are ready for change.”
A website for the initiative will publish weekly videos on various issues affecting Santa Fe and allow people to self-report issues with things like sewer lines, roads, noise and light pollution.
“The whole premise is that this is not political,” Nix said. “This is really about how you deliver good governance, and if you do it the right way, there shouldn’t be that political undertone that currently exists in our city.”
There are 4 council seats available for election
The seats of four municipal councilors will also be up for election in November.
So far, only District 3 Councilman Lee Garcia has said he plans to run for re-election. Signe Lindell in District 1, Romero-Wirth in District 2 and Amanda Chavez in District 4 did not respond to requests for comment.
Some people who unsuccessfully ran for council seats in 2023 indicated they may be open to running again.
Joel Nava, who lost a District 4 challenge to Councilman Jamie Cassutt, said he is exploring the possibility of another run but likely won’t make a decision until the spring.
“I am still disappointed with this government and I feel like change is still needed, now more than ever,” he said.
Katherine Rivera, one of four candidates in last year’s District 1 race, said she is exploring the possibility of running again and will make a decision in the new year.
“I’m definitely a potential candidate,” Rivera said.
Brian Gutierrez, a candidate for District 1 in both 2021 and 2023, said his decision will depend on who else runs.
“If there’s a good candidate, I’ll stay out. If nothing looks attractive, I’ll probably throw my hat in the ring,” he said Monday.
He added: ‘I hope someone good steps in because I’m busy.’
Geno Zamora, the district’s top-funded 2023 candidate who lost to Alma Castro, said it’s “too early to know anything.”
Phil Lucero, who ran unsuccessfully against Michael Garcia in District 2 last year, declined to comment.
