The New Mexico Short-Term Rental Association (NMSTRA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. NMSTRA does not endorse or oppose any candidate for public office. Candidate grades are based solely on responses to the NMSTRA questionnaire and publicly stated policy positions related to short-term rental regulation and property rights.
How Grading Was Conducted
Each candidate’s questionnaire was evaluated using a consistent rubric based on responses to questions about:
Property rights and residential STR legality
Opposition to caps or bans
Views on taxes and parity with hotels
Support for owner-occupied and small host exemptions
Willingness to collaborate with NMSTRA
Understanding of STRs’ local economic contributions
Candidates who strongly support STRs, oppose bans or arbitrary caps, and recognize the economic importance of the sector received higher grades (A to A+). Those advocating heavy restrictions, reclassification of STRs as commercial, or new STR-specific taxes received lower grades (C to F).
ALBUQUERQUE
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Louie Sanchez
Mayor, Albuquerque
A+
Fully supports property rights in all zones; opposes STR-specific taxes; advocates study-first approach; strong collaboration with NMSTRA.
Darren White
Mayor, Albuquerque
A+
Supports property rights with reasonable oversight; opposes new taxes; supports data-driven study-first policymaking.
Mayling Armijo
Mayor, Albuquerque
A-
Supports property rights and data-driven approach; favors fair taxation and local housing solutions; supports owner-occupied exemptions.
Renee Grout
City Councilor, District 9
A+
Strong defender of property rights; opposes STR-specific taxes; supports study-first approach; open collaborator with NMSTRA.
Dan Lewis
City Councilor, District 5
A+
Advocates property rights and limited regulation; supports lower STR taxes; open to collaboration.
Colton Alan Newman
City Councilor, District 9
B
Generally supportive; favors nuanced rules and study-first approach; supports transparency and fair taxation.
Jaemes Shanley
City Councilor, District 7
B+
Supports STRs in mixed-use areas; favors owner-occupied distinctions; supports study-first approach and collaboration.
Christopher Sedillo
City Councilor, District 3
A+
Strong supporter of property rights; opposes extra STR taxes; supports study-first approach and collaboration.
Teresa Garcia
City Councilor, District 3
B-
Balanced approach; supports data collection before new rules; empathetic to local homeowners; supports collaboration.
Strong property rights advocate; opposes STR reclassification; supports data-driven regulation.
CORRALES
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Rick Miera
Village Councilor, Corrales
C+
Mixed position; supports oversight; open to flexible caps and transparency.
RED RIVER
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Angela S. Howles Black
Town Council, Red River
B+
Generally supportive; opposes reclassification; favors study-first approach and collaboration.
MAXWELL
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Michael L. Brandenburg
Mayor, Maxwell
A
Supports property rights; opposes new taxes; open to fair taxation alignment and collaboration.
ANTHONY
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Sylvia Hidalgo
City of Anthony
D
Favors limiting STRs to commercial districts; unsure on several policy areas.
SUNLAND PARK
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Mili Sandoval
City Councilor, District 1
C-
Unsure on multiple policy issues; supports further data and information gathering.
TAOS
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Marietta S. Fambro
Mayor, Town of Taos
C+
Supports property rights; favors modest fees and local review; supports study and collaboration.
HATCH
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Kathie Franzoy
Village Trustee, Hatch
C
Neutral stance; supports data collection before new policies.
Grade Key
A+ – Exceptional alignment with property rights and balanced STR policy A – Strong support for STR fairness and collaboration B / B+ – Generally supportive with some regulatory caution C / C+ – Mixed views; open to further study D / F – Supports restrictive measures or STR caps/bans
Call to Action
The New Mexico Short-Term Rental Association (NMSTRA) invites members to review the full Candidate Grades Report for all 33 evaluated candidates across New Mexico.
