District 2 City Commission Race: Incumbent Burnett Faces Challenge from Reformer Ross in Battle for Alamogordo’s Future

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — As voters head to the polls on Tuesday, the race for Alamogordo’s District 2 City Commission seat has emerged as a stark contest between a political insider and change, pitting appointed incumbent Stephen Burnett against nonprofit founder and community advocate Evan Christopher Ross, who also goes by Lambert. With just two days until Election Day, the campaign highlights deep divisions over issues like housing affordability, infrastructure, homelessness, and ethical governance in this military-influenced community of about 31,000 residents.

Burnett, a local business owner appointed to the seat in 2021 following the resignation of Nadia Sykes, has positioned himself as a steady quiet hand amid economic uncertainties. His background includes deep ties to Otero County insiders bolstered by marriage into the prominent local Herrell family with significant political influence. Supporters praise his calm approach, which emphasizes budgetary discipline, infrastructure repairs, and long-term capital planning. At a recent candidate forum hosted by the Alamogordo Daily News on October 27, Burnett highlighted controversy but ignored a military housing project proposal for District 2, instead advocating for a family project requesting LEDA money. 

Burnett’s campaign has not been without controversy. During the forum, he defended his request for the city to allocate $1.9 million in Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds to a project involving his sister-in-law, insisting he would recuse himself from any vote and denying it constituted nepotism or a conflict of interest. This issue has sparked debate in local circles about transparency and potential favoritism. 

On infrastructure, Burnett points to existing plans for road repairs and waterline upgrades, arguing for realistic, fiscally constrained solutions. At the LULAC Council 8105 forum narrated by Chris Edwards earlier in the campaign, he cautioned against overreaching on homelessness, emphasizing that wages and economic challenges are complex and largely driven by the private sector, with no easy fixes and the city's limited role. 

Challenging Burnett is Evan Christopher Ross, founder of Community Power New Mexico, a nonprofit dedicated to civic empowerment and restorative approaches to community issues. Ross, who has logged over 800 volunteer hours since April through his organization, appeals to renters, working families, and younger voters who feel sidelined by traditional city processes. His platform stresses transparency, inclusive governance, and ethical renewal, with a bold call for participatory decision-making.

In the Daily News forum, Ross named affordable housing as his top priority, linking it to stagnant wages and low-paying jobs that plague Alamogordo’s “kitchen table issues.” He proposed neighborhood round tables to gather resident input and foster collaborative solutions. Ross emphatically stated he has no conflicts of interest, positioning himself as an independent voice free from entrenched networks.

On homelessness, Ross advocates for compassion over punishment, taking issue with derogatory terms like “vagrants” and urging the community to “care for thy neighbor.” At the LULAC forum, he pushed for stronger partnerships between city departments, nonprofits, and regional agencies to build a safety net addressing systemic poverty. Ross has also critiqued the “Walmart effect,” where large retailers suppress local wages, and highlighted the drain caused by absentee landlords and high rents on working families.

Additionally, Ross has collaborated with the Otero County Commission, presenting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to tackle blight and code violations through support services rather than fines. His grassroots efforts include cleanup initiatives and housing advocacy, aiming to transform neglected areas in District 2, which encompasses historic neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and zones grappling with potholes, drug houses, and rising crime.

The race, set against broader challenges like water scarcity from the Sacramento Mountains aquifer, economic pressures from Holloman Air Force Base, and demographic shifts, serves as a referendum on Alamogordo’s leadership style.

Will voters opt for Burnett’s experience even with questions around insider dealings and possible nepotism, or Ross’s vision of reform and empowerment.

Early voting, which ran from October 7 to November 1, showed moderate turnout, with same-day registration available at polling sites including the Otero County Fairgrounds, Sgt. Willie Estrada Memorial Civic Center, and Tays Special Events Center. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 4.

As Alamogordo stands at this crossroads in this district needing strong advocacy for investment and infrastructure upgrades, the outcome could shape city overall priorities for years, influencing everything from roadway investments to community inclusivity.

Note: Special Political Report to Alamogordo Town News

Sources:

1. 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News, “Alamogordo District 2 at a Crossroads: Two Candidates, Two Visions, and Two Very Different Paths to Power,” September 13, 2025. (https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/335098/alamo…)

2. 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News, “Mayoral and District 2 Forum Monday Revealed Candidate Stances on Issues,” October 27, 2025 coverage. (https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/347595/mayor…)

3. 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News, “Alamogordo Candidates Face Packed House at LULAC 8105 Forum: Homelessness, Safety, and Wages Take Center Stage,” October 1, 2025. (https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/336495/alamo…)

4. Ballotpedia, “Stephen W. Burnett (Alamogordo City Council District 2, New Mexico, candidate 2025).” (https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_W.Burnett%28Alamogordo_City_Council_District_2%2C_New_Mexico%2C_candidate_2025%29)

5. Ballotpedia, “Evan Christopher Ross (Alamogordo City Council District 2, New Mexico, candidate 2025).” (https://ballotpedia.org/Evan_Christopher_Ross_%28Alamogordo_City_Counci…)

6. Evan Ross for District 2 Campaign Website. (https://www.evanrossfordistrict2.com/)

7. New Mexico Secretary of State, “2025 Local Election Contest/Candidate List.” (https://candidateportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/CandidateList.aspx?eid=2…)

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