Draft prepared: April 28, 2026 | Early voting starts soon — act now.
Disclaimer
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. These grades reflect NMSTRA’s issue-based assessment of candidate positions related to short-term rental policy, property rights, residential tax classification, statewide consistency, and treatment of homeowners and small operators.
Grades are not based on political party. They are based on questionnaire responses when available and on public-record research only when a candidate did not submit a questionnaire response but had a clear STR-related public record.
How grading was conducted
Each candidate’s questionnaire was evaluated using a consistent issue-based rubric. Candidates for County Assessor were asked about residential classification of homes used as STRs, whether to pause or continue reclassification while HM 52 and statewide review move forward, statewide consistency, and the impact of classification changes on homeowners and small businesses. Candidates for County Commissioner were asked about homeowner property rights, county STR restrictions, housing and community impacts, and tax classification/statewide consistency.
Candidates who did not respond to the questionnaire but had a clear STR-related public record received a history-based grade (marked with * in the Notes column). Candidates with no questionnaire response and no sufficient public record are listed as “No grade.”
BERNALILLO
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Damian R Lara
County Assessor
F
* Grade based on public-history research. Bernalillo County reclassified many STRs as nonresidential/commercial under Lara’s office, and Lara publicly defended this direction. Direct adverse record for preserving residential STR tax treatment.
Linda Stover
County Assessor
A
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential for property-tax purposes; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes fairness, stability, and impacts on homeowners and small operators.
Michael Ray Maine
County Assessor
A
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential for property-tax purposes; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; supports a uniform statewide standard.
Barbara Christine Baca
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Byron K Powdrell
County Commissioner, District 5
A
Supports homeowner property rights; supports reasonable health, safety, and nuisance rules while avoiding caps or bans; supports fair and consistent statewide treatment.
Eric Olivas
County Commissioner, District 5
A
Supports homeowner property rights; supports reasonable health, safety, and nuisance rules while avoiding caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; supports fair and consistent statewide treatment.
Thomas Wayne Riley
County Commissioner, District 5
F
Prefers case-by-case review with neighborhood/community input; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Wayne A Yevoli
County Commissioner, District 5
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
CATRON
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Scott Ashton Johnston
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Buster Floyd Green
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Stanley E Towner
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Amber Pauline Treto
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Audrey H McQueen
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Cristina C Lash
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
CHAVES
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Sandra P Stewart
County Assessor
C
Supports case-by-case residential classification; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes notice and transparency.
Caleb Widener
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
J Shay Wagner
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Michael L Brisco
County Commissioner, District 1
C
Supports homeowner property rights; supports reasonable health, safety, and nuisance rules while avoiding caps or bans; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Johnny Arvel McClain, Jr.
County Commissioner, District 5
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Matthew B Rael
County Commissioner, District 5
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Will Cavin
County Commissioner, District 5
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
CIBOLA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Jenna M Rodriguez
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Marty R Molina
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Richard Allen Cerno
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Robert J Armijo
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Beverly Michael
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Erik Omar Garcia
County Commissioner, District 3
F
Generally supports responsible STR use but was unsure about county regulation and STR housing impacts; needs more information before supporting specific policies.
George Rodriguez
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Martin M Vigil
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Michael W Lewis
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Robert Francis Horacek
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Stanley E Michael
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
COLFAX
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Joseph J Martinez, Jr.
County Assessor
D
Supports case-by-case classification; would reclassify only in rare and clearly justified cases; emphasizes consistent application of state law.
Linda L Gallegos
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Robert Jay Thompson
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Si S Trujillo
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Lydia M Garcia
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Mary Lou Kern
County Commissioner, District 2
C
Supports homeowner property rights; supports reasonable rules while avoiding caps or bans; gave general policy answers on tax/classification consistency.
CURRY
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Candace R London
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Fidel Magin Madrid
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Dusty W Leatherwood
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
DE BACA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Brandi Foster
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Melanie Leigh Ratliff
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Joe Sena
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Adolfo Lucero
County Commissioner, District 2
C
Supports homeowner property rights; supports reasonable rules while avoiding caps or bans; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Matthew Michael Jaramillo
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
DOÑA ANA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Eugenia Montoya Ortega
County Assessor
F
Was unsure about residential classification and whether to pause or continue reclassification; would defer to state law while applying it as assessor.
Ruben Ramon Reyes
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Shannon Dale Reynolds
County Assessor
B
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential; would reclassify only in rare and clearly justified cases; supports a uniform statewide standard.
Angela Rowe Garcia
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Daisy Ann Maldonado
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Samantha R Barncastle Salopek
County Commissioner, District 1
A
Supports homeowner property rights; supports reasonable rules while avoiding caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; opposes singling out STRs for special treatment while recognizing local land-use authority.
Jose J Ibarra
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Willie D Madrid
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
EDDY
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Gemma L Ferguson
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Melissa M Washburn
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Rhonda E Hatch
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Austin Kyle Washburn
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Henry T Castaneda
County Commissioner, District 1
F
Supports homeowner property rights but says STRs are a significant housing-affordability driver; needs more information before supporting specific policies; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
James William Bowen, III
County Commissioner, District 4
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
GRANT
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Misty Autumn Trujillo
County Assessor
F
Supports generally classifying STR dwellings as nonresidential; would rely on property record facts alone; says assessor has no special responsibility beyond applying the law.
Andres T Gomez
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Jenny N Ferranti
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Lonnie Alexander Sandoval
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Patrick W Snedeker
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Simon Sotelo, III
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Eloy H Medina
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Gilbert Diaz Guadiana
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
GUADALUPE
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Roberta R Chavez
County Assessor
C
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes valuation and 3% cap impacts.
Ricky Alex Chavez
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Randal W Brown
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Vincent R Cordova
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
HARDING
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Gilbert Eddie Deschamps
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
A Raymond Gutierrez
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
James Edward Herron
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Misty R Lewis
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
HIDALGO
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Eddie G Parra
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Rahab Michole De La Garza
County Assessor
D
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential but would continue reviewing and reclassifying STRs under county authority; supports a uniform statewide standard.
Anthony J Mora
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Bradly Scott Lovett
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
John Wesley Samuel
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Kelly R Peterson
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Robert Genn Williams
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
LEA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Ava Benge
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Bradley D Weber
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Brian Wayne Pointer
County Commissioner, District 3
F
Supports STR use with caps or maintenance/parking conditions; supports stronger limits including caps, spacing, or tighter licensing; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Jeff Lee
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Jennifer Michelle Grassham
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
LINCOLN
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Mark Judson Montgomery
County Commissioner, District 2
B
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports residential property-tax treatment while treating STR income as business income; distinguishes small/owner operators from larger settings.
Samantha J Serna
County Commissioner, District 2
A
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports nuisance/safety enforcement and tourism and small-business opportunity; supports residential property-tax treatment.
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Steven S Lynne
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Theresa Ann Cull
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
LUNA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Javier J Reyes
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Jessica Leigh Vinson-Moreno
County Assessor
F
Was unsure about residential classification and reclassification; prefers local or county-by-county authority over statewide standard.
David William Lindberg
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Eddie M Mesa
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Michael Casillas
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Raymond John Trejo
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Rex W Gardner
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Colette M Chandler
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Thomas John Wakely
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
MCKINLEY
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Edward Becenti, Jr.
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Georgianna Desiderio
County Assessor
C
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; emphasizes notice and transparency.
Nathan Notah
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Danielle Notah
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Ernest C Becenti, III
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Kevin M Mitchell
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Vincent Muskett
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Genevieve Jackson
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Gloria Mae Skeet
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Kathleen Arviso
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Walt Eddy
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
MORA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Joseph William Gurule
County Assessor
F
Was unsure about residential classification and reclassification; would rely on property record facts; provided a general answer on owner impacts.
Mark A Montoya
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Eloida Wanda Martinez
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Francisco R Chavez
County Commissioner, District 1
D
Gave general answer on homeowner property rights; was unsure about STR housing impacts; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Amy A Barela
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Jonathan T Emery
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
QUAY
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Jefferson L Byrd
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Brian Dale Fortner
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
RIO ARRIBA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Joaquin Valdez
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Josie Veronica Valdez
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Levi Valdez, Jr.
County Assessor
D
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential but was unsure whether to pause reclassification; gave limited detail on statewide consistency.
Barney R Trujillo
County Commissioner, District 1
A
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports data-driven review, tourism and small-business opportunity, and statewide consistency with local flexibility.
Brandon M Bustos
County Commissioner, District 1
D
Supports homeowner property rights but gave general policy answers; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
James J Martinez
County Commissioner, District 1
B
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; supports property rights and tourism and small-business opportunity.
Alex M Naranjo
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Dale T Salazar
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Kedrick E Mendez
County Commissioner, District 2
C
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; distinguishes small/owner operators from larger settings; supports statewide consistency with local flexibility.
ROOSEVELT
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
George S Beggs
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Roy L Criswell
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Durward A Dixon
County Commissioner, District 4
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Kenneth D Reed
County Commissioner, District 5
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Wesley J Weems
County Commissioner, District 5
F
Gave general answers on property rights and county regulation; was unsure about STR housing impacts and statewide versus local treatment.
SAN JUAN
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
John D Kuhn
County Assessor
C
Supports case-by-case residential classification; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes notice/transparency and impacts on homeowners and small operators.
Danielle Todacheene
County Commissioner, District 1
A
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; supports fair and consistent statewide treatment.
Lonnie W Todacheene
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Elouise Brown
County Commissioner, District 2
F
Called for stricter rules rather than emphasizing property rights; was unsure about county regulation and STR housing impacts.
Gary M McDaniel
County Commissioner, District 2
B
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports statewide consistency with local flexibility.
Gilbert Rogers
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
SAN MIGUEL
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Dorene J Garcia
County Assessor
C
Supports case-by-case residential classification; would reclassify only in rare and clearly justified cases; emphasizes consistent application of state law and impacts on homeowners and small operators.
John Christian Martinez
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Doris R Gallegos
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
James Chavez
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Mark Anthony Dominguez
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Marsha Guadalupe Archuleta
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Rock Gerald Ulibarri
County Commissioner, District 1
C
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; gave general policy answers on tax/classification consistency.
Antonio J Padilla
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Matt C Martinez
County Commissioner, District 3
B
Supports homeowner property rights with minimal new restrictions; supports property rights and tourism and small-business opportunity; supports fair and consistent statewide treatment.
SANDOVAL
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Gerred Prairie
County Assessor
A
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; emphasizes notice/transparency, fairness, and impacts on homeowners and small operators.
Lawrence D Griego
County Assessor
A
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes fairness, stability, and valuation and 3% cap impacts.
Richard Shanks
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
John Mark Sapien
County Commissioner, District 1
B
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports nuisance/safety enforcement and local limits/licensing; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Paul J Madrid
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Rebecca Lynn Skartwed
County Commissioner, District 1
B
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports nuisance/safety enforcement; supports residential property-tax treatment while treating STR income as business income.
Daniel J Stoddard
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Edwin Paul Linson
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Frank James Smith, Jr.
County Commissioner, District 3
A
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports nuisance/safety enforcement and tourism and small-business opportunity; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
SANTA FE
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Ivan Barry
County Assessor
D
* Grade based on public-history research. Barry’s campaign presents him as continuity from the prior Santa Fe County Assessor’s office, which defended the county’s STR classification method as consistent with state law and legal advice.
Henry Roybal
County Commissioner, District 1
B
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports data-driven review; says STRs are not a major housing driver.
Justin S Greene
County Commissioner, District 1
A
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports nuisance/safety enforcement and fair and consistent statewide treatment.
Camilla M Bustamante
County Commissioner, District 3
D
* Grade based on public-history research. Made the motion to approve and voted yes on Santa Fe County Ordinance 2024-01, which added limits on non-owner-occupied STRs and ownership caps in certain areas.
SIERRA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Keith W Whitney
County Assessor
C
Supports case-by-case residential classification; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes notice/transparency and impacts on homeowners and small operators.
Virginia G Womack
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Douglas E Whitehead
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Bruce C Swingle
County Commissioner, District 2
A
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; supports fair and consistent statewide treatment.
Sandy R Jones
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Willard Lewis Hall
County Commissioner, District 2
D
Generally supports responsible STR use but gave general policy answers; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
SOCORRO
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Elaine M Briggs
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Joseph E Gutierrez
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Cari Leann Powell
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Pauline Jaramillo
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
John J Aguilar
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
TAOS
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Alexy T Lathrop
County Assessor
C
Supports case-by-case residential classification; would reclassify only in rare and clearly justified cases; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes notice/transparency, fairness, and impacts on homeowners and small operators.
Christina L Ramirez
County Assessor
F
Supports generally classifying STR dwellings as nonresidential; would continue reviewing and reclassifying STRs under county authority; supports a uniform statewide standard.
Douglas Jackson True
County Assessor
B
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential; would reclassify only in rare and clearly justified cases; opposes reclassification of residential property.
F R Bob Romero
County Commissioner, District 1
F
* Grade based on public-history research. Voted YES on Ordinance 2024-4, which implemented a permit cap and regulatory restrictions on short-term rentals.
Marietta S Fambro
County Commissioner, District 1
F
Supports STR use only when tied to full-time residential occupancy; supports caps, spacing, or tighter licensing; says STRs are a significant housing-affordability driver.
Miguel Alfonso Romero
County Commissioner, District 2
F
* Grade based on public-history research. Voted YES on Ordinance 2024-4, which implemented a permit cap and regulatory restrictions on short-term rentals.
Ronald J Mascarenas
County Commissioner, District 5
F
* Grade based on public-history research. Voted YES on Ordinance 2024-4, supporting STR restrictions and permit caps. Vice-Chair of the Taos County Commission at the time of the vote.
TORRANCE
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Crystal M Garcia
County Assessor
D
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential but was unsure whether to pause reclassification; supports a uniform statewide standard.
Hugh G Jones
County Assessor
D
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential but would continue reviewing and reclassifying STRs under county authority; supports a uniform statewide standard.
Martin A Lucero
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Albert Chavez
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Nathan Allen Schafer
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Leanne M Tapia
County Commissioner, District 2
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Thomas J Holt
County Commissioner, District 2
C
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
William F Peifer
County Commissioner, District 2
B
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver.
UNION
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Hollie S Sandoval
County Assessor
C
Supports case-by-case residential classification; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes impacts on homeowners and small operators.
Becky Claycomb
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Lynette C Keeth
County Commissioner At Large
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Martin J Mathis
County Commissioner At Large
B
Supports homeowner property rights with minimal new restrictions; gave general policy answers; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
VALENCIA
Candidate
Position
Grade
Notes
Burgandy Bree Casias
County Assessor
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Celia Dittmaier
County Assessor
C
Supports case-by-case residential classification; would reclassify only in rare and clearly justified cases; supports a uniform statewide standard. Emphasizes notice/transparency and fairness.
David A Hyder
County Assessor
D
Supports keeping STR dwellings generally residential; would pause new reclassification while statewide action moves forward; prefers local or county-by-county authority.
Torres G. Leyba
County Assessor
F
Supports case-by-case classification; would pause new reclassification; prefers local or county-by-county authority over statewide standard.
Christopher K Williams
County Commissioner, District 1
C
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports data-driven review and distinguishes small/owner operators from larger settings; supports statewide consistency with local flexibility.
Christopher Steven Garcia
County Commissioner, District 1
D
Supports homeowner property rights; avoids caps or bans; supports possible local limits if needed; prefers county-by-county/local treatment.
Helen Saiz
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Sharalaina Piro-Rael
County Commissioner, District 1
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Karla J Laurie
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Morris R Sparkman
County Commissioner, District 3
B
Supports reasonable rules while avoiding caps or bans; says STRs are not a major housing driver; supports data-driven review and statewide consistency with local flexibility.
Sharon L Smith
County Commissioner, District 3
No grade
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Grade key
A – Strong support for STR property rights, residential tax treatment, and fair statewide consistency B – Generally aligned, with some local-control or regulatory caution C – Mixed or case-by-case views, or limited support with county-by-county variation D – Limited alignment or support for restrictive elements such as local reclassification authority F – Low alignment; supports nonresidential treatment, reclassification, caps, or strong restrictions No grade – No questionnaire response and no sufficient STR-related public record *** in Notes** – History-only grade based on public-record research
Full responses and source workbook
Full candidate answers, question-by-question grades, history research notes, and public-record source links are available here:
NMSTRA invites members to review these grades and make your voice count before early voting begins. While NMSTRA does not endorse or oppose any candidate, we encourage you to:
Engage with A-grade candidates who support homeowner rights and fair STR policy
Stay informed about local policies that affect your property and your business
Participate locally — share this page, attend community meetings, and help ensure balanced STR regulations across New Mexico
Together, we can continue to protect property rights and promote responsible hosting statewide.
