Alamogordo NM
11-04-2025 5:40am

Alamogordo Voters Head to the Polls Tuesday for Pivotal Local Election

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — As the sun rises over the White Sands on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, residents of Alamogordo will cast their ballots in a regular local election that could shape the future of the city and its surrounding community. With a crowded mayoral race featuring five contenders and several key city commission seats up for grabs, alongside school board positions, this election is seen as pivotal for addressing issues like housing affordability, infrastructure development, economic growth tied to Holloman Air Force Base, and community governance.

The race for mayor has drawn significant attention, pitting a diverse field of candidates against one another in a nonpartisan contest. The candidates vying for the four-year term are Jason R. Baldwin, Latanya M. Boyce, Sharon A. McDonald, Ted M. Morgan,  and Richard R. Cota.

Jason R. Baldwin, a former City Commissioner and the current lead Golf Professional at the city-owned Desert Lakes Golf Course, is a longtime resident with interests in history and politics. His platform emphasizes community recreation and infrastructure as drivers of economic growth to enhance tourism. Baldwin has pledged to recuse himself from any votes related to the golf course to avoid conflicts of interest. During forums, he highlighted his past commission experience and a refreshed perspective after stepping away from service, though he faced criticism for missing one forum focused on inner-city concerns.

Latanya M. Boyce, a former Otero County Probate Judge who served from 2015 to 2025 and stepped down in August after over a decade, brings judicial experience and community trust to her campaign. With deep roots in Alamogordo since 1971, including military ties to Holloman Air Force Base and 26 years in the title industry, Boyce frames her candidacy around overcoming barriers through faith and perseverance. She advocates a compassionate approach to public service, emphasizing “God first” leadership and supporting initiatives like Bibles in schools, while focusing on community support networks. In debates, her faith-driven stance drew mixed reactions.

Sharon A. McDonald, the six-year incumbent City Commissioner for District 5 and current Mayor Pro Tempore is seen as the frontrunner as thr most hands on and has operated a deep field game with a host of volunteers supporting her in the neighborhoods. She a lifelong business professional and the only candidate with ongoing commission experience. At age 75, she is retired and will be the only full time mayor if elected, she prioritizes infrastructure, wages, and business growth, advocated in the past for competitive city wages to bolster staffing for police and code enforcement. McDonald supports projects like the New York Avenue overhaul opening November 29th ribbon cutting, and the Dudley School revitalization opened, which have attracted over $7 million in private investments. She promotes policies that help businesses thrive without unnecessary barriers and addresses water issues. Endorsed by figures like former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima and former Lincoln County Republican County Commissioner Leo Martinez for her fiscal conservatism and community focus, McDonald highlighted experience and hands on leadership as well as infrastructure in forums, releasing a fun tongue and cheek campaign video showcasing her fitness and experience.

Ted M. Morgan, born in 1948 and a longtime Alamogordo resident with no prior high-profile office, focuses his platform on governance reform and water security. He criticizes the city’s governance structure as outdated—though some claims were corrected regarding recent charter updates—and centers on issues like the desalination plant and city charter revisions. In forums, Morgan was seen by some as narrowly focused on governance and water, earning the label of a “one-trick pony.” He reported uncertainty on conflicts of interest and showed deference to McDonald, even calling for the current mayor to step down, suggesting McDonald’s readiness to lead.

Richard R. Cota, around age 47, is a teacher and grocery store worker positioning himself as a sincere outsider with family ties in Alamogordo. His platform emphasizes faith over detailed policies, admitting a need for on-the-job learning while making emotional appeals based on community connections. In forums, Cota focused on faith and ties, reporting no conflicts. His campaign was marked by controversy after a forum where the current mayor confronted him over alleged inaccuracies, leading Cota to accuse her of harassment and demand her resignation, citing defamation. The exchange, filmed and tense, overshadowed his bid, with scrutiny on his readiness and family connections to city roles.

The other candidates represent a mix of business, civic, and political backgrounds, with debates centering on policy reforms, transparency, and tackling local challenges like water scarcity and homelessness.

In the city commission races, which govern under Alamogordo’s Commission-City Manager system, several districts are contested. For District 1, Robert Baxter Pattillo (Republican) is running unopposed in what appears to be a special election. District 2 features a heated matchup between incumbent Stephen W. Burnett and  challenger Evan Christopher Ross.

Burnett, a local business owner appointed in 2021, focuses on fiscal responsibility and infrastructure, though he’s faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest related to funding requests

Evan Ross, founder of the nonprofit Community Power New Mexico, emphasizes affordable housing, compassionate approaches to homelessness, and greater public participation in decision-making. For District 4, Joshua W. Rardin is the sole candidate.

Voters will also decide on the municipal judge position, where David Matthew Overstreet is running unopposed.

Education is another key focus, with two seats on the Alamogordo Public Schools board up for election. Angela M. Cadwallader (Republican) is the candidate for Position 2, while Carolyn M. Atkinson (Republican) is running for Position 5—both unopposed. These roles are critical for overseeing the district’s policies amid ongoing discussions about student performance, funding, and community involvement.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Alamogordo voters can cast their ballots at one of three convenient locations: the Otero County Fairgrounds at 401 Fairgrounds Road, the Sgt. Willie Estrada Memorial Civic Center at 800 E. 1st Street, or the Tays Special Events Center at 2400 N. Scenic Drive. Same-day voter registration is available for eligible individuals at these polling sites, making it easier for last-minute participants to join the democratic process.

Local officials encourage all registered voters to participate, noting the election’s impact on daily life in this tight-knit community of about 31,000. For more information on voter registration or to confirm your polling location, visit the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Voter Information Portal at NMVote.org or contact the Otero County Clerk’s Office at 575-437-4942.

As Alamogordo heads to the polls, the outcomes could signal shifts in leadership and priorities, reflecting the city’s evolving needs in a region known for its military heritage and natural beauty. Results are expected to be tallied and announced by the Otero County Clerk’s Office shortly after polls close.

Most candidates have not announced where they will be this evening Sharon McDonald is hosting a public Win, Loose or Draw celebration open to the public and her supporters at Infinity Sweets at 908 New York Avenue from 530 pm to 830 pm. Supporters are encouraged to join! 

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