Five candidates are vying for seats in two Los Alamos school board districts in next month’s nonpartisan election. Collectively, the candidates have taken in $6,650 in campaign contributions, with more than half of that money coming from groups with strong political leanings.
Officially speaking, all New Mexico school board races are nonpartisan and so, unlike elections for many other elected offices, candidates do not declare affiliation with a political party. However, nothing prevents politically aligned organizations from endorsing candidates or making donations to their campaigns. So far, in the races to fill two seats on the Los Alamos Public Schools Board, the Republican Party of Los Alamos has donated $2,000, the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County has contributed $1,000, and $700 in donations have come from one other partisan group.
Candidates in the November 4 election are seeking to fill spots in District 1 — comprised of western White Rock, Elk Ridge, and parts of downtown Los Alamos — and District 2, which covers eastern White Rock. The District 1 seat is currently held by Ellen Specter, and the District 2 seat is currently held by Ryan Adams. Both positions are four-year terms.
Under New Mexico law, any school board candidate who receives at least $1,000 in contributions must file a report with the secretary of state. Candidates had to file their first report by October 14, and a second report from each candidate is due December 4.
Two candidates, Stephanie Ann Galvez and Margie Serrato, are seeking the District 1 seat.
According to campaign finance reporting, Galvez received $1,920 in donations. The Republican Party of Los Alamos donated $1,000 of those funds, and another $350 came from the Los Alamos Federated Republican Women, under the name LA Republican Women Club. Galvez has also received an endorsement from the Republican Party of Los Alamos.
Serrato has received a total of $760 in campaign contributions, with $500 of those funds being donated by the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County. Serrato has received endorsements from the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County and the Los Alamos Federation of School Employees, an affiliate of the national teachers union the American Federation of Teachers.
The race for the District 2 seat is a three-way contest between Tammy Hinckley, Antonio Ray Jaurigue, and Jasmine Stephens.
Hinckley has received $2,450 in total donations, with $1,000 from the Republican Party of Los Alamos and $350 from Los Alamos Federated Republican Women, and she’s received an endorsement by the group as well.
Jaurigue received a total of $1,520 in contributions, with $500 coming from the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County. He has received endorsements from the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County and the Los Alamos Federation of School Employees.
Stephens reported no campaign contributions for the current reporting period.
Where and when to vote
Early voting is available from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday at the Los Alamos Municipal Building and the White Rock Town Hall through Saturday, November 1. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. In-person voting will take place from 7 am to 7 pm at any of the county’s polling locations. A full list is available here.