Incumbent mayor John Ramon Vigil lost the mayor’s seat to Dennis Tim Salazar in Tuesday’s election
Dennis Tim Salazar is the next mayor of Española.
Salazar beat incumbent John Ramon Vigil and write-in candidate Joann Salazar at each of the city’s three polling locations on Tuesday night, as well as in early voting and absentee ballot numbers.
Dennis Tim Salazar wrote in a statement that the results show people overwhelmingly want to see the city go in a new direction.
“We are ready to move past the last four years of stagnation, controversy and mismanagement of the budget,” Salazar wrote. “Change will be difficult, but the people of Española deserve a better place to live, grow and work. We ran on the platform to restore fiscal responsibility, accountability, and confidence in the city government. We have a lot to prove to the people of Española, and we will meet that challenge. I am honored that the people of Española have bestowed their trust in me.”
Vigil and Joann Salazar did not return phone calls Tuesday seeking comment about the race.
Salazar received 857 votes, Vigil received 566 and Joann Salazar received 334.
While Dennis Tim Salazar had been contemplating a run for mayor, his decision to go for it in this election cycle was due to happenstance. Former mayor Javier Sanchez planned to face off against Vigil for a second time, after losing to him by 64 votes in 2022, but pulled out on filing day due to what he called an “ambiguous technicality.”
This prompted Dennis Tim Salazar to jump into the race, and endorsements quickly followed. Sanchez, Assistant Fire Chief John Wickersham, District 4 Councilor Samuel LeDoux, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4339 and former city employees all supported his candidacy.
LeDoux celebrated with Dennis Tim Salazar at the Apple Valley Kitchen on Tuesday night. He said the feeling was tense as people were waiting for election results, but excitement and relief spread across the room when they found out that Dennis Tim Salazar won.
“I think that for too long, City Hall has been about personalities and personal picadillos and not about the things that actually matter,” LeDoux said.
Having a less divisive mayor will mean councilors can tackle the big issues facing the community, he said, like crime, homelessness and economic development.
“I think people are finally ready to move on,” LeDoux said.
During his term as mayor, Vigil has faced allegations of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination.
Pick up a copy of the Rio Grande SUN to read about other election results.