People in far Northeast Albuquerque were set to elect a new city councilor for the first time in 20 years on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Councilor Brad Winter is giving up his seat in District 4, and three candidates campaigned for his spot. But none of them cornered over 50 percent of the vote, which is what it takes to win. So Brook Bassan and Ane Romero are heading for a runoff. KUNM spoke to voters in District 4 on Election Day.
Retired business owner Michael Gonzales cast his ballot at Arroyo Del Oso Elementary School in Northeast Albuquerque. Gonzales said he voted for Ane Romero, a legislative director for the governor, who has said public safety is her first priority.
"I think we need more police on streets," Gonzales said. "I think Ane Romero is one that is pro-police issues. So of all of them, I thought she was the best candidate."
Romero recieved 42 percent of the votes.
Hannah Mullaney is a UNM student who said she didn’t know much about the race until she picked up a League of Women Voters guide at the polling place. Based on candidates’ answers there, she cast her vote for retired Navy engineer Athena Ann Christodoulou.
"She just seemed to have a lot of experience with the military. She cared about climate change. I care about climate change," Mullaney said. "The things she was talking about just seemed more realistic than some of the big, broad things that other people had talked about.”
Christodoulou got 8.7 percent of the votes.
Brook Bassan claimed the most ballots at 48.9 percent. She’s president of her parent-teacher association, serves on the Nor Este Neighborhood Association, and has the endorsements of outgoing Councilor Brad Winters and the Albuquerque Police Officers Association.
The runoff between Bassan and Romero is set to happen in December.
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