Opinion by Mica Maynard: Alamogordo’s Mayoral Race Highlights Stark Divide Between Political Insiders and Grassroots Leaders

ALAMOGORDO, NM — The nonpartisan contest for mayor and City Commission District 2 could emerge as one of Alamogordo’s most polarized elections in decades. The fault line runs between candidates backed by Otero County’s “golf course crowd”—wealthy enclaves around Desert Lakes and Mesa Verde—and grassroots contenders rooted in the city’s inner core. 

Sadly many of the candidates and their backers are out of touch and don't see the polarization.  A majority of the candidates have well paying jobs well above minimum wage and not living paycheck to paycheck, paying 50% of their income to rent and struggling with the issues of blight, bad roads and crime in their neighborhoods. 

A Forum That Laid Bare the Divide

On September 30, LULAC Council 8105 hosted a candidate forum at Otero Artspace, drawing many inner city residents from neighborhoods struggling with poverty and crime. The forum was moderated by Claudia Powell, former president of the League of Women Voters’ Otero County chapter, and Chris Edwards, journalist and historian affilated with AlamogordoTownNews.org. The forum offered direct exchanges, with real bread and butter concerns about homelessness, public safety, infrastructure, safe and adaquate water and economic development. 

Attendees from the city’s core noted the absence of Jason R. Baldwin, the Desert Lakes golf pro, whose decision to skip the event raised questions about his engagement with working-class and military families living blocks away. One member of the audience commented, "if he couldn't come here for this, will he really listen to our needs once elected by his neighborhood and those of his economic stature"

By the Numbers: Wealth and Wounds

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and CrimeGrade.org reveal the stark economic and safety gaps that shape voter priorities. The reality of the homelife of the"insider machine selected candidates" verses the non-connected candidates.

Desert Lakes Golf Course Area:
– Median household income: $72,000; poverty rate ~11%; unemployment 4%; 1 in 43 chance of victimization.

Mesa Verde:
– Median income $55,000; poverty rate ~18%; unemployment 6%; 1 in 28 chance of victimization.

Inner City (New York Ave & surrounding blocks):
– Median income $38,000; poverty >30%; renters >50%; unemployment >9%; 1 in 14 chance of victimization.

Residents in the inner core and Walker Roads areas contend daily with aging streets, crumbling sidewalks, fewer streetlights and less police presence, conditions feeling ignored when the city earmarks a few million million for golf-course upgrades for watering the greens while road maintenance citywide ranges from only $1.2 million to $2.5 million annually, less planned capital projects.

Spending on Desert Lakes Golf Course has increased recently due to deferred maintenance and proposed upgrades:

Total proposed investment: Up to $3.3 million from 2022 to 2027, including:

$2 million for irrigation system overhaul (new pumps, motors, controls, and lines)

$1.3 million for additional improvements like pond management, cart paths, and beautification

Actual spending to date: Only a portion of this has been funded or executed. As of mid-2025, less than $500,000 has been expended, with more planned in upcoming fiscal years.

Operational challenges: Deferred maintenance and reduced staffing under the current contractor have led to service declines, prompting the city to consider taking over management.

Road Maintenance Spending (Last 5 Years)

While exact annual figures are not itemized in one place, the city’s infrastructure planning documents and annual reports suggest:

FY2021–FY2025: Road maintenance and rehabilitation projects have been part of a long-term capital improvement strategy, including digital pavement assessments and prioritization models.

Estimated annual spending: Varies year to year, but typically ranges between $1.2 million and $2.5 million, depending on project scope and funding availability.

Major initiatives:

Pavement condition assessments (2022)

Drainage and sewer coordination with street upgrades

Long-term 20-year rehabilitation plan in development

Grassroots Results Sharon McDonald: From “Blight to Possibility” vs. Elite Packaging 

Sharon McDonald, current Mayor Pro Tempore and District 5 Commissioner, emerged as the forum’s most commanding voice. Fully retired, she’s pledged to serve as Alamogordo’s first full-time mayor in decades. 

Her “one block at a time” blueprint has delivered:

$1.9 million New York Avenue streetscape overhaul with Alamogordo MainStreet and NM MainStreet’s Great Blocks program.

Dudley School rehabilitation with the Tularosa Basin Historic Society, transforming a derelict site into a community hub.

Over $6 million in private investments since 2023, including a $2.3 million brewpub and $1.2 million theater restoration just a block over from her district demonstrating a positive spill over in business development.

“Transitioning from blight to possibility—that’s not charity; that’s calculated partnerships turned community, building” McDonald told the audience. Her fact-based record and hands-on leadership have energized voters in the city’s most distressed neighborhoods.

Evan Ross: Collaborative Safety Nets

In the District 2 race, Evan Ross spoke passionately about the “Walmart effect” on wages and the need for economic supports and job training. He framed revitalization as a collective effort: leveraging public dollars, private partnerships, and nonprofit expertise to rebuild streets and restore opportunity in blighted blocks.

The Insider Slate

Behind the scenes, newly elected state GOP Chair, Amy Barela has groomed an insider ticket: Baldwin, golf-course stalwart; Stephen Burnett, son-in-law of the Herrell land development and political dynasty; and Latanya Boyce, driven by faith but whose judiciary networks overlap with county’s old-guard donors and elite insiders. 

Commissioner District 2, Burnett’s frequent tee-times and family connections to the Herrells underscores his alignment with elite power structures, though he presents as a blue collar get your hands dirty non-elite. 

Boyce and Richard Cota offered faith-driven narratives at this weeks forum, with few policy specifics, engaged with enthusiasm but on the job training is a major concern.

 Ted Morgan, a governance critic, saw his critiques undercut when McDonald fact-checked his charter claims and negative claims toward the acting city managers role and effectiveness.

Policy Questions

Is Alamogordo’s investment in Desert Lakes Golf Course equitable given the socioeconomic disparities?

Could reallocating some funds toward inner-city infrastructure and youth programs yield greater long-term impact?

Should tourism and beautification efforts be expanded to underserved neighborhoods?

Cities that rely heavily on tourism or have high golf participation may see a decent return on golf investments.

Cities with aging infrastructure, high poverty, or limited recreational access often benefit more from road and transit upgrades.

In Alamogordo’s case, the golf course lies in a higher-income area, while inner-city roads and sidewalks are deteriorating. That raises equity concerns, especially when student poverty rates in the inner city exceed 45%.

Golf course investments can be worthwhile—but only if they’re part of a broader strategy that includes inclusive recreation, tourism development, and equitable infrastructure. Roads, on the other hand, are foundational. They serve everyone, every day.

Voting on Vision, Not Insider Trading 

As Ms. Gonzalez, a District 2 resident, said while exiting the forum into the cooling night: “We don’t need another fairway favor. We need roads, safety, and someone who actually shows up for us and sees us.” 

Alamogordo’s municipal race is more than a contest—it’s a choice between maintaining the insider trading and favors or investing in transformation. The city’s inner city neighborhoods are not just underserved—they’re resilient. And leaders like McDonald and Ross are offering more than promises—they’re offering proof and experience on the ground down, gritty and dirty.

This election won’t be decided by country-club endorsements or polished slogans. It will unfold on front porches, block by block. The question before Alamogordo’s voters is simple: will the city swing for the fences with bold, inclusive leadership—or settle for another par-for-the-course favor? Alamogordo’s next chapter won’t be scripted in sand traps. It’ll be forged one vote at a time.

About the Author: Mica Maynard – Civic Contributor & Cultural Analyst, 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News. Originally from Oakland, California; currently contributing to Alamogordo’s media and civic landscape. Research: UC Berkeley team researcher specializing in AI-assisted polling and community impact analysis

Style & Impact:

Maynard blends academic rigor with local storytelling, offering fresh insights into how rural communities navigate change, honor legacy, and build inclusive futures. Her reporting often bridges generational perspectives and invites civic dialogue.

More News from Alamogordo

• Alamogordo Launches VisitAlamogordo.com as Fall Events Build Toward Christmas on MainStreet Upcoming community events
• Tularosa Sports Complex Sparks Political Firestorm: Mayor Cooksey Responds Controversy in Tuly