Former City Commissioner Al Hernandez Enters Contention as Fourth Applicant for Alamogordo District 5 Seat Appointment

Al Hernandez, a former City Commissioner for District 5 in Alamogordo, has officially submitted his application to fill the current vacancy on the City Commission, bringing the total number of contenders to four and heightening local interest in the appointment process.

The District 5 seat became vacant following Sharon McDonald’s election as Mayor in late 2025. McDonald previously held the District 5 position before ascending to the mayoral role. The City of Alamogordo formally opened applications in mid-January 2026, with a submission deadline of February 13, 2026. The full City Commission is scheduled to consider and potentially appoint a replacement during a meeting on February 24, 2026.

The other three applicants, based on public records obtained via an Inspection of Public Records Act request and listed in the order their submissions were received, are:

1. Vesta Sherri Edmonds

2. Shelly Dowhanick-Baron

3. Azar Rangel

Hernandez, who served as District 5 Commissioner until his defeat by McDonald in the 2020 election, has been in contact with AlamogordoTownNews.org. He has committed to responding to the same series of questions posed to the other candidates by February 13. His responses, along with those from Edmonds, Dowhanick-Baron, and Rangel, will be published to provide transparency and allow the public to compare the applicants’ views on key local issues.

To foster community engagement and input ahead of the appointment, Mayor Sharon McDonald is collaborating with AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALH Radio to host a public Meet and Greet Forum. The event is set for Thursday, February 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Dudley School Community Center on Maryland Avenue. Residents are encouraged to attend to meet the participating candidates—ask questions, and learn more about their qualifications and priorities for District 5.

The forum will be narrated and live-streamed via alamogordotownnews.org and kalhradio.org, ensuring broad accessibility for those unable to attend in person.

The vacancy appointment process emphasizes qualified electors residing in District 5, with candidates required to submit a Letter of Interest, Declaration of Candidacy, financial disclosure statement, and proof of voter registration.

Hernandez’s history as a past commissioner, including his tenure as well as his interactions with seated commissioners, will be reviewed in a future story prior to the appointment process and after public review of the candidate questions and answers submitted to AlamogordoTownNews.org.

As the February 13 deadline approaches and the February 19 forum provides a key opportunity for public scrutiny, this appointment stands as a critical juncture for District 5 residents to influence Alamogordo’s leadership. Active community participation will help ensure the chosen commissioner aligns with the district’s priorities and advances transparent, effective governance for the city.

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