Eighteen candidates from the five Rio Arriba County School Districts signed up, Tuesday, to get their names on the ballot for the February 2017 Countywide School Board elections.
Most notably absent on that list were Española School Board members Annabelle Almager and Lucas Fresquez.
Almager said she decided more than a year ago, she was no longer interested in seeking the seat.
“I am done and may the best man win because the best woman is out of the contest,” she said.
One veteran candidate, Leo Marquez and a newcomer, Patrick Herrera, are vying to fill her District 2 position.
Marquez previously ran for Española city council and has sought several elected positions throughout the years. He currently works as the chief financial officer for the New Mexico Treasurer’s Office.
He said he is seeking office to help get the District going in the right direction.
“Put the train back on the track and restore fiscal responsibility,” he said as his reason for seeking office.
His opponent, Herrera is a local businessman and the owner of Allied 360. He was the first to file shortly after 9 a.m.
He said his objective this February, is to ensure that his two children and their peers in the Española School District get the education they deserve.
Los Alamos National Laboratory employee Gilbert Serrano is working to take the seat that Fresquez has decided not to seek, after one term in office. He will face politico Pat Chavez, who was accompanied on filing day by embattled Española Valley High School basketball coach Richard Martinez.
Dulce Independent School District saw the most filings for office, with five candidates seeking two open seats. Those candidates are Levi Pesata, Lavonna James, Lorene Willis, Phillip Salazar and Frankie Ortiz.
Mesa Vista had the second-highest number of candidates seeking office. Newcomer and former Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s lieutenant Adam Archuleta is hoping to keep two-term board member Marvyn Jaramillo from getting a third term.
Archuleta said he wants to pursue the best interest of the students, but didn’t elaborate on what that entailed. His opponent said his main objective this term, is to make sure the District is doing what they can to get the children ready for life after high school.
“My focus is to get the children the best education, so when they go to college or enter the workforce they are ready,” Jaramillo said.
Jaramillo’s colleague, incumbent Toby Martinez, will face first-timer Moises Peña for his current seat.
Both of Chama’s candidates, Stephanie Maestas, and James Earl Martinez, are incumbents and are running unopposed.
The three Jemez Mountains School Board members, Emily Vigil, Robert Vigil and Michelle Jaramillo declined to be interviewed or photographed.