Democrat therapist wins out over GOP ex-teacher

3 county races were uncontested

Democrat Charlene Pyskoty narrowly defeated Republican James Smith to represent District 5 on the Bernalillo County Commission, according to unofficial results late Tuesday.

District 5 covers the East Mountains, Four Hills and part of the Northeast Heights.

Crime and behavioral health needs were named as top priorities during the campaign by the two candidates, who both reside in Tijeras.

During the campaign, Pyskoty touted her experience as a mental health therapist in private practice with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and master’s degrees in sociology, public health and community counseling.

“This has never been about me,” Pyskoty said during a phone interview late Tuesday. “This is about being the voice of all those people who want to see compassion and want to see common sense in their government. It’s about people who want to see decency and democracy, and that crosses all party lines.”

She said she would lend her expertise to the county’s behavioral health initiative, as well as develop integrated and functional behavioral health and criminal justice systems, smart solutions for our homeless populations, and safe, healthy communities overall.

Smith, a retired teacher, trumpeted his seven years of experience representing the East Mountains and Placitas in the state House of Representatives. He was appointed to the vacant District 5 seat on the County Commission earlier this year.

He said during the campaign that crime was his top priority and that he intended to support the sheriff’s office with the means to fight crime, which would include hiring more deputies.

Attempts to contact Smith for comment late Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Three county races were uncontested on Tuesday.

District 1 County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley, County Assessor Tanya Giddings and County Probate Judge Cristy Carbón-Gaul won new terms.

All three ran as Democrats on the ballot.