Alamogordo NM
1-22-2026 5:45am

Commentary: Insider Puppet Masters: Unopposed Commissioners and Voter Apathy Drive Alamogordo’s Costly City Manager Revolving Door

Alamogordo finds itself mired in yet another chapter of leadership instability, as the ongoing national search for a permanent City Manager drags on amid the withdrawal of external finalists and apparent resistance to appointing the proven Acting City Manager, Dr. Stephanie J. Hernandez. This prolonged uncertainty is no isolated incident—it’s the latest symptom of a decade-long pattern of disruptive turnover in the City Manager’s office, with seven managers or acting managers cycling through in just ten years. The result? Delayed infrastructure projects, escalating water rates, stalled economic development, plummeting staff morale, and diminishing public trust in local government.

The root of this dysfunction lies in a toxic combination of voter apathy and structural electoral dynamics that allow certain commissioners to operate with minimal accountability. In the November 4, 2025, local election, turnout showed promise in the mayoral race—over 4,321 votes cast, a roughly 32% increase from 2021’s 2,931—propelled by a competitive five-candidate field that ultimately elevated Sharon McDonald as mayor. Voters sent a clear signal: they demand to be heard and seek greater transparency, building on reforms initiated under former Mayor Susan Payne and now championed by Mayor McDonald.

Yet that momentum failed to reach key commissioner races. Mayor Pro Tem Josh Rardin (District 4) and Commissioner Baxter Pattillo (District 1) ran unopposed in 2025. Without challengers, there was no public debate, no contrasting platforms, and no electoral pressure to justify their records or positions. Rardin, already an incumbent after an unopposed win in 2021, and Pattillo, entering the commission without opposition, faced zero scrutiny from voters. In contrast, District 2 saw a contested race where incumbent Stephen Burnett prevailed over challenger Evan Ross, demonstrating how competition can foster accountability and discussion of critical issues like reform and community priorities.

Uncontested seats create a dangerous vacuum:

• Commissioners in safe districts have little incentive to prioritize broad community needs over internal alliances or factional loyalties.

• This enables “puppet master” dynamics, where entrenched interests—often aligned with long-standing networks—can orchestrate decisions behind closed doors, as seen in recent actions to extend the city manager search rather than advance Dr. Hernandez, despite her superior qualifications and the external finalists’ departures (reportedly seeking roles with less political interference).

• Voter apathy reinforces the cycle: perceptions of foregone conclusions or insider dominance discourage participation, challengers, and engagement, perpetuating low competition in future races.

The taxpayer cost of this insider-driven instability is steep and mounting. Repeated national searches (including a prior effort tainted by an ethics investigation) rack up recruitment fees, consultant expenses, and severance payouts. Each transition disrupts continuity, leading to project delays (e.g., water infrastructure and desalination efforts), lost grant opportunities, operational inefficiencies, and higher utility rates to cover gaps. With the city managing an $80–95 million all-funds budget and complex enterprise operations—including utilities, airport, zoo, landfill, and public safety—prolonged vacancies and short tenures waste resources that could fund roads, facilities, military partnerships, and economic growth tied to Holloman Air Force Base.

Dr. Hernandez stands out as the low-risk, high-reward choice to end this cycle. As Acting City Manager (with over 20 months total in interim/acting roles exceeding many past managers’ full tenures), she has:

• Implemented performance-based budgeting for greater fiscal transparency.

• Strengthened procurement oversight to curb waste.

• Secured vital infrastructure grants.

• Hired nine new department directors to stabilize operations.

• Resolved long-standing self-insurance liabilities.

• Maintained services amid turbulence while fostering military collaborations, including support for the Military Altus Award honoring Alamogordo’s partnerships.

Her Ph.D. in relevant fields, local knowledge of New Mexico’s fiscal realities (e.g., Gross Receipts Tax reliance), statutory requirements, and cultural/military dynamics make her uniquely suited—far more than out-of-state candidates facing steep learning curves.

Yet a faction reportedly led by Mayor Pro Tem Rardin has pushed to prolong the search, sidelining her despite her top scoring in prior evaluations and the sole remaining finalist status post-withdrawals. This echoes broader patterns: blocking Commissioner Warren Robinson’s Mayor Pro Tem bid early in 2026 and fast-tracking insider-aligned candidates for the District 5 vacancy over grassroots options, seemingly to preserve influence blocs that could undermine transparency reforms.

Alamogordo deserves better—stable, professional leadership focused on progress, not politics. Breaking the revolving door requires citizens to act: recruit challengers for future elections, attend commission meetings (like the January 27, 2026, regular session at 6:30 p.m.), speak out, email commissioners, apply for open seats (District 5 deadline February 13, 2026), and file public records requests for transparency.

Commissioner Contacts:

• Mayor Sharon McDonald: smcdonald@ci.alamogordo.nm.us

• Mayor Pro Tem Josh Rardin: jrardin@ci.alamogordo.nm.us

• Commissioner Stephen Burnett: sburnett@ci.alamogordo.nm.us

• Commissioner Warren Robinson: wrobinson@ci.alamogordo.nm.us

• Commissioner Baxter Pattillo: bpattillo@ci.alamogordo.nm.us (or check ci.alamogordo.nm.us)

Mayor McDonald’s election proved mobilized voters can drive change. Sustained participation across all districts can end unopposed runs, hold leaders accountable, and finally prioritize community needs over factional games. The time for apathy is over—Alamogordo’s future, and taxpayers’ wallets, depend on it.

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