District 2 candidate stands alone in City Council race

A candidate for the open District 2 seat on Santa Fe's City Council appears to be the only one in the race at this point. Michael J Garcia announced that he will run for the seat following the news that incumbent Councilor Peter Ives will not seek a third term.

"District 2 has one of the most diverse constituencies in terms of socioeconomic status and ethnicity," Garcia writes in a statement issued today. "If elected as a city councilor I would work to ensure that all constituents needs are met and addressed."

The city's clerk's office confirms three other people picked up candidate information packets as they considered seeking the office, but all of them—Chris Quintana, Craig Moya and Charlene Ortiz—have already indicated they aren't planning to run.

District 2 encompasses the region south and east of downtown Santa Fe, east of Cerrillos Road, with St. Michael's Drive running through the middle. "Our district is one that faces many challenges," Garcia writes. "A couple of my priorities would be to work on finding sustainable solutions for the lack of affordable housing, updating an aging infrastructure, and insuring [sic] constituents needs and concerns are being met. If elected as a city councilor I would tirelessly work to address these challenges and strive to build a brighter future for our district and our beautiful city for future generations."

Garcia's father, Clarence Garcia, was a transit worker with the city from 1997 to 2015.

District 2 is the second seat without an incumbent in the upcoming city elections on Nov. 5, 2019. Councilor Mike Harris of District 4 announced in April that he would not run for reelection. Councilors Renee Villarreal of District 1 and Chris Rivera of District 3 are both seeking reelection—and so far no one has emerged to challenge either one.

Gregory Scargall, who came in second in the District 4 race two years ago, and Xavier Anderson, who has served as a county and state worker, are the only two candidates in the District 4 contest so far. Although John Michael Salazar picked up a packet for that contest, he's let the clerk know he won't run.

Candidates must gather the signatures of half of one percent of the total registered voters in their district to be eligible on the ballot. Signatures may be collected through July 5 and are due at the clerk's office no later than July 10.

The city judge seat is also on the ballot, and so far no challengers are planning to take on incumbent Virginia Vigil.