Endorsements for Bernalillo County
Today, the Journal announces endorsements in contested primary races for Bernalillo County offices. For information including candidate Q&As, district maps and news stories as they are published, go to ABQJournal.com/election2020.
TREASURER Democratic primary, Nancy Marie Bearce
Four years ago, the Journal endorsed Bearce for treasurer, and she has proven herself capable of handling the county’s investments. In June 2016, after a disastrous showing by her predecessors, the county’s investment portfolio stood at $236 million. At the end of 2019, it had grown to $392 million. Her investment strategy netted a $156 million increase and additional $24 million of annual interest to the general fund.
While the principal job of the county treasurer is collecting and investing county tax dollars wisely, Bearce is also working to make her office more customer-accessible and friendly, negotiating with vendors to reduce credit card “convenience fees” on property tax payments and publicizing the payment plan for those who don’t have their taxes rolled into their mortgage. While she faces some talented challengers like former state Sen. Bernadette Sanchez, Bearce has proven she’s capable of handling a nine-digit investment portfolio and has earned a second term.
The winner has no opposition in the general election.
COUNTY COMMISSION District 2 Democratic primary, Frank Baca
A graduate of Rio Grande High, Yale University and UNM Law School, Baca told the Editorial Board he has time and energy for the job of county commissioner, a not-so-subtle reference to current Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada.
Baca is a retired attorney and former general counsel and executive director of the state Gaming Control Board. A former crimes-against-children prosecutor, he understands crime and substance abuse are related and supports establishing a working group to address both. He’s also a fiscal watchdog, saying the $65 million-plus costs of the county’s new headquarters is “of great concern” and some amenities, such as the rooftop park, should be delayed if not eliminated.
District 2, which stretches from Central south to the county line and Interstate 25 to the Rio Puerco, deserves a leader who understands residents’ challenges and will protect their tax dollars. The winner has no opposition in the general election.
District 3 Democratic primary, Marcos Gonzales
Gonzales, who has worked for the county Economic Development Department since 2012, says owning a home is a fundamental right and he supports more public-private partnerships to create more affordable housing. He also says District 3 is facing an economic crisis “of monumental proportions” and Central’s corridor hasn’t recovered from ART construction. The district includes central Albuquerque, including the Sunport, UNM, San Mateo corridor and much of Uptown.
Gonzales told the Editorial Board he supports a body camera pilot program for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office to determine real costs and concerns, something that could finally get Sheriff Manny Gonzales on board with best policing practices. The primary winner faces no opposition in the general election and will succeed Commissioner Jim Collie, who was appointed to replace Maggie Hart Stebbins after she took a state job and is not running.
District 4 Republican primary, George “Walt” Benson
Benson told the Editorial Board he is running because too many families are moving because of limited jobs and crime.
Benson would bring much-needed job-creation experience to the commission. He owns a Baskin Robbins franchise, is a managing partner of New Mexico Waste Management and co-founded FootPrints Home Care, employing around 100.
Unlike commissioners who recently approved a spending increase, Benson says spending may need to be deferred/frozen and contracts renegotiated based on economic realities.
The primary winner will face Democrat Wende Schwingendorf in the general election to represent the northern part of the county, from the Sandia Mountains to the West Side. Incumbent Republican Lonnie Talbert, current chair and the commission’s lone Republican, is term-limited out.