Alamogordo District 2 at a Crossroads: Two Candidates, Two Visions, and Two Very Different Paths to Power

In Alamogordo’s District 2, the November 2025 city commission race is more than a contest—it’s a collision of philosophies, networks, and civic strategies. The matchup between Stephen Burnett, the appointed incumbent, and Evan Christopher Ross (Lambert), a nonprofit founder and reform advocate, reveals not just two candidates—but two competing models of leadership.

 Stephen Burnett: The Insider’s Stewardship

Appointed to the commission in 2021, in the position previously held by Nadia Sykes, Stephen Burnett has served with a quiet, focused style. A local business owner and connected resident, Burnett is known for his calm demeanor and preference for behind-the-scenes coordination. His tone is measured, his messaging minimal, his words few, and his commitment rooted in continuity. 

Burnett’s position is also shaped by family ties to a politically influential network in Otero County. Through marriage, he is connected to a prominent local family with deep roots in political circles and civic institutions. This connection has positioned him as a political insider, even as the city commission he serves on has faced strained relations with the Otero County Commission in recent years.

“I’m here to serve the district, not to reinvent it.” —Stephen Burnett, community roundtable

Burnett’s platform centers on experience, budgetary discipline, and continuity. He’s supported emergency waterline repairs, capital improvement planning, and city service coordination. His supporters value his consistency, connections and institutional knowledge—especially during times of economic uncertainty.

Evan Christophet Ross (Lambert): The Bridge-Builder and Reformer

Evan Ross, founder of Community Power New Mexico, brings a bold, participatory vision to the race. His tone is urgent, inclusive, and emotionally resonant. He speaks directly to renters, working families, and young voters who feel left out of traditional city processes.

Ross recently appeared before the Otero County Commission to present a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between his nonprofit and the county. The initiative aims to address blight and code violations through a restorative, non-punitive approach—offering support services to residents facing financial hardship rather than fines or enforcement.

“The goal isn’t just to provide services—it’s to change the way our systems work.”—Evan Ross, Community Power NM presentation

Ross’s ability to work directly with the county attorney and commissioners, including R.B. Nichols, signals a rare and valuable trait: cross-jurisdictional collaboration. In a political climate often marked by turf battles, Ross is positioning himself as a bridge-builder—someone who can unify city and county efforts around shared goals.

His nonprofit has logged over 800 volunteer hours since April 2025, including direct support for District 2 residents through cleanup efforts, housing advocacy, and civic education.

Tone & Approach: Insider vs. Organizer

• Burnett leads with quiet consistency, emphasizing continuity in present city operations with long-term planning.

• Ross leads with community engagement, emphasizing transparency and shared decision-making.

• Burnett’s tone is institutional and reserved; Ross’s is passionate, mobilizing, and reform-driven.

Commitment to District 2

Burnett has served through infrastructure votes and city commission meetings, maintaining a steady presence.

Ross has hosted listening sessions, led cleanup efforts, and built a grassroots coalition through Community Power NM.

Ross’s platform is shaped by lived experience and direct service to the underserved populations and the elderly; Burnett’s by institutional continuity and family legacy.

Final Thoughts: A District Poised for Decision

District 2 is more than a voting bloc—it’s a microcosm of Alamogordo’s civic identity. It includes historic neighborhoods, emerging business corridors, and families navigating rising costs. It also hosts several neglected areas of blight, some of the most potholed streets in the city, hosts known drug houses and has seen rising crime.

The race between Burnett and Ross reflects a deeper civic question: Should leadership be about maintaining the status quo—or transforming them?

Burnett offers quiet stewardship backed by political lineage and administrative familiarity.

Ross offers grassroots reform, cross-government collaboration, and a new model of civic partnership.

Their differences are not just stylistic—they’re structural.

As Alamogordo faces generational shifts, economic pressures, and calls for transparency, District 2 may become the bellwether for how the city chooses to evolve. 

Whether voters choose continuity or change, insider experience or community power, the outcome will shape not just one district—but the tone of city leadership for years to come.

Coming Soon: Candidate Q&A

As the election draws closer, 2nd Life Media will publish a follow-up story featuring direct questions and answers from both candidates. This exclusive feature will offer voters a chance to hear—in their own words—how Burnett and Ross plan to serve District 2, address pressing issues, and build trust across Alamogordo.

Stay tuned for the full interview series, launching in October 2025.

Citations:

• Stephen Burnett’s City Commission Profile

• Tragedy Strikes the Burnette Family – 2nd Life Media

• Community Power NM’s MOU Presentation to Otero County Public Records 

• Community Power NM

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