Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press
achedden@elritomedia.com

Republicans in Bernalillo and Sandoval counties are demanding that Otero County Commissioner Amy Barela vacate her position as state GOP chair, claiming she is violating a party rule they say prohibits a state party officer from running for public office against another Republican.

Barela is currently an Otero County Commissioner and running for reelection. She is refusing to resign as GOP Party chair and insists the rule does not apply to her candidacy in the June 2 primary where she is seeking her party’s nomination to run for a second term as District 2 county commissioner in the November general election.

The rule, Barela says, is intended to prevent a party official from challenging a fellow Republican and because she filed for the primary before her opponent did, she is not challenging him.

And she contends a recent legal opinion backs up her assertions. The Republican Party of New Mexico shared a “Parliamentarian Review” it commissioned in support of Barela on March 27 via its Facebook page, which is also used to promote Republican candidates across the state.

The review, conducted by Kay Allison Crews, a professional registered parliamentarian based in Dallas argued the rule only applies when a party officer files to run for an elected position after their opponent in the Republican primary.

“She would have no notice that she was required to vacate her party office, because the triggering condition — the existence of a competing Republican filing — had not yet occurred,” Crews wrote.

“The way the rule is written, I declared first. I am not opposing anybody. I am being opposed,” Barela said.

Barela’s opponent is Jonathan Emery, who filed for the June 2 primary the same day as Barela, March 10, but two minutes later. Barela filed at 9:06 a.m. and Emery filed at 9:08 a.m.

Emery announced his candidacy in January along with plans to retire this year as a sergeant with the Otero County Sheriff’s Office.

Otero County Commissioners receive a $30,000 annual salary along with health and life insurance benefits. State party chair is an unpaid position.

As chair, Barela is tasked with leading statewide funding efforts for political campaigns by Republican candidates. She also holds speaking events and works to rally support among voters.

The rule at issue, which is included in the New Mexico GOP’s bylaws, states:

“In the event the state chairman or any other state officer of the Republican State Central Committee files as a candidate for public office and there is another Republican who has filed for the same office, the state officer shall immediately vacate the party office.”

Sandoval County Republican Chair Beth Dowling says Barela is deliberately misinterpreting the rule, which Dowling maintains is intended to prevent a conflict of interest when a party officer runs against a fellow Republican in a primary election, regardless of who filed first.

“The rule is straightforward. It has nothing to do with an interpretation of when somebody files or if an individual is an incumbent,” Dowling said. “She has essentially vacated the position as state chair. That’s the situation at hand.”

“It’s all about following the rules,” Dowling said.

Rural-urban divide

The argument now shapes up as an urban-rural wrangle, Barela believes, with big-city Republicans in the northern part of the state determined to oust the duly elected chairperson from Otero County.

Barela was elected to a two-year term as chair by the GOP’s State Central Committee in December 2024, succeeding longtime Congressman Steve Pearce of Hobbs. She previously served as the party’s chairperson for the 2nd Congressional District, covering most of the rural southern portion of the state.

Barela said her position at the head of the statewide GOP gives representation to the rural areas of southern New Mexico, a deep-red region she said is underrepresented both via a strong Democratic Party majority in the Legislature and within the Republican Party itself.

“I’m not sure there is a Republican in Bernalillo County. They don’t have the same value system as in southern New Mexico. That’s very apparent.” Barela said. “They dictate everything.”

New Mexico Sen. Jim Townsend (R-34) of Artesia supported Barela’s rule interpretation and her theory that calls for her resignation are an attempt to remove her as chair and replace her with someone more amenable to northern New Mexico’s views.

“That rural-urban divide is everywhere in New Mexico,” Townsend said. “Just because you’re a big county doesn’t mean you’re the best county, or the smartest county. What they’re doing is not healthy.”

Barela’s opponent said when he announced his candidacy that the incumbent commissioner should step down as party chair “if the rules dictate that she does so” but in an emailed statement to the Alamogordo News said he did not enter the primary to force Barela out of her party job.

“I want to make it very clear I was not planted by any party to run against Amy,” Emery said. “In fact, my run for commissioner has nothing to do with Amy. I wish her the best of luck.”

Emery said his eligibility for retirement from the sheriff’s office prompted his decision to enter the commission race this year.

A group of anti-Barela Republicans weighed in with an 11-page memo sent to members of the party’s State Central Committee in early March arguing that Barela the primary candidate cannot also be Barela the chairperson and that she forfeited the chairmanship the moment she filed to run in the primary.

The State Central Committee is the governing body of the New Mexico GOP, tasked with approving rules and policies as to how the party operates internally.

Party rules state that to remove Barela without her resignation, a party member needs a 2/3 majority quorum representing at least 13 counties to hold a meeting at which the post could officially be declared vacant. Bernalillo and Sandoval counties admitted they have only a 56% majority in favor of Barela’s removal, meaning such a meeting has yet to be called.

Still, the Bernalillo and Sandoval county organizations say Barela is in violation of the rules by being both a party officer and contested primary candidate, and that they intend to fill the seat with someone less conflicted.

At this point Barela disagrees and continues as an Otero County Commissioner up for reelection and the current GOP chair.

But regardless of this outcome of the conflict, the continued internal strife within the party is harming its national reputation, said 1st Vice Chair of the Bernalillo County GOP Mark Murton.

“We believe leadership is hard,” he said. “It’s not like you can order people around. You have to build consensus and inspire. That’s what we need.”

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Moriah Lovato
For the Artesia Daily Press

Terry Hill survived a recount to maintain his seat on the Artesia City Council, confirming the razor-thin 214-210 vote.

Hill defeated Charles Morgan Wagner II in the March 3 municipal election to win the District 4 seat, but the close vote margin narrower than the five-vote threshold triggered the recount, per local statute.

Votes were retabulated Tuesday, March 31 at the Early Voting Center in Carlsbad, with Hill and other city councilors, along with Mayor Jeff Youtsey sworn into office Wednesday, April 1 at the Artesia Senior Center.

Eddy County Clerk Cara Cooke explained the recount process with confidence. “Before every election we have to certify the tabulators,” said Eddy County Clerk Cara Cooke.

In this process a set of 100 test ballots are counted by hand and then run through the machines to ensure the numbers match up. Some test ballots include under votes, when a voter leaves a contest section empty of any vote, and over votes, when a voter marks more than one candidate in a section. In the case of an over vote, the tabulators notify voters so that they can request a new ballot to fill out correctly.

Cooke said she would like constituents “to know that their vote did count” and that all these processes are “open for the public to come and witness.”

City Clerk and Treasurer Summer Valverde echoed Cooke’s sentiments, carrying excitement early Tuesday morning before the recount. Though the recount requires additional work by the city, Valverde viewed the process as evidence of the voting system at work.

Valverde also stated, “It shows everyone’s vote counts.”

The recount was conducted by an Absentee Board made up of residents of the City of Artesia who are also registered voters. Though any community member who meets these criteria can submit an online form to receive training and serve on the board, only three persons served at the ballot recount, including one former County Clerk.

Probate Judge Jay Francis, an active member of the bar appointed to his position by a District Judge, supervised the board as they broke the seals on the ballot boxes and recounted each ballot by hand before submitting them to the tabulators for a final count.

After nearly two hours of counting, the ballots went through the tabulators and reiterated the exact 214-210 vote count found on Election Day Mar. 3, confirming Terry Hill as the City Councilor who will serve City District Four for the next four years.

City District Four lies on the southern edge of the City of Artesia, mostly surrounding 13th Street between Washington Avenue and Hermosa Drive. A map of the city districts can be found under the Elections and Voter Information tab on the Eddy County Clerk website.

Hill, 77, previously ran unsuccessfully as mayor in 2022, following a 17-year tenure on the Artesia City Council.

“We’ve got a lot of infrastructure that needs to be finished up,” Hill said during an Election Night interview at City Hall.

Youtsey defeated Terry Todd by another slim, 20-vote margin – 798 to 778.

“Terry ran a very good campaign,” Youtsey said the day after the election. “I’m looking forward to working for the city.”

Also sworn in were returning District 1 City Councilor Raul Rodriguez and District , who both ran unopposed.

Joseph Wright was also sworn in as District 2 City Councilor to replace George Mullen, who opted not to run for reelection. Wright defeated Nathan Ryno, 144 to 50 votes.

District 3 City Councilor Allen Kent Bratcher, 68, retook his seat after being reelected over write-in candidate Matteo Doporto, 372 to 99.

Rebecca Hauschild
For the Artesia Daily Press

Five new roads will be built for the ongoing Legends of Artesia subdivision, and the city is looking to the public to name them.

The housing development will be south of West Hermosa Drive, across from Jaycee Park, and will include 74 lots for home construction in its first phase.

In total, the city planned for the subdivision to hold 240 lots when fully built out.

Each lot will be at least 5,988 square feet, according to city documents, with access into the subdivision coming from 26th Street.

New streets will be added within the subdivision, and the city will entertain name proposals at a public hearing during the April 14 City Council meeting, which was scheduled by councilors at their March 24 regular meeting.

A portion of the subdivision will be paid for using $4 million in Eddy County funds approved by county commissioners at their Dec. 16 meeting after Artesia officials applied.

It’s part of a countywide housing initiative that made $15.6 million available for local housing projects in the county’s four municipalities.

Community Development Director Byron Landfair reported to the city council that it had received the money from the county and could begin work on the project after the final plat is approved at the April 14 meeting.

Getting power to the development will cost another $460,000, which will necessitate a budget change, according to Landfair. He said the city may seek additional funds from Eddy County for the rest of the work.

Other business

The Council approved a lease agreement between the City of Artesia and Youth Development Inc. (YDI) for the head start program for $10 per year.

The council approved a grant agreement with the PY Foundation of Artesia for the First Responder Recruiting and Retention Program for nearly $2.6 million over the next five years. The EMS/Fire department will receive $517,148 every number for five years. This grant was in place over the previous five years.

Chief Hope reported new EMS recruits just graduated after nine months of training and will begin taking regular shifts.

The council approved a permit for a 3,800-square foot expansion of the Artesia Walmart Supercenter. The company is expanding the online delivery and pickup area on the south side of the building.

Landfair reported the new pickle ball courts are getting painted this week, and utility work is in progress on the 26th Street project.

March 16

Arrest

Sebastian Rivera Quiroz arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating drugs or liquor.

WELFARE

12:12 am – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

RECKLESS

8:44 am – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and N. 9th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

9:32 am – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of S. 15th St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

ACCIDENT

9:50 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

BURGLARY

2:56 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to burglary.

RECKLESS

3:12 pm -Officer dispatched to 1700 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

HARASSMENT

3:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to harassment.

SUSPICIOUS

4:07 pm – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of S. 26th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

9:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious trespass.

10:17 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of w. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

WELFARE

6:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

March 17

Arrest

Dylan Cody Gauntt arrested for aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs, immediate notice of accidents, driving on roadways laned for traffic.

ALARM

8:05 am – Officer dispatched to 2500 block of W. Main St. in reference to an alarm.

GRAFFITI

8:28 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 W. Main St. in reference to graffiti.

8:58 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 13th St. in reference to graffiti.

HARASSMENT

8:34 am – Officer dispatched to N. 7th St. and W. Main St. in reference to harassment.

SUSPICIOUS

4:44 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Ray Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

ALARM

4:54 pm – Oficer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Main St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

ACCIDENT

5:39 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 4th St. and W. Quay Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

6:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

8:25 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Kemp Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

8:58 pm – Officer dispatched to 2100 block of W. Briscoe Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

10:52 pm -Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SUSPICIOUS

11:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to suspicious person.

March 18

Arrest

Alexandria Arlynn Herbain arrested for driving on a revoked license.

Angela Marie Romero arrested for failure to appear.

SUSPICIOUS

8:56 am – Officer dispatched to N. 7th St. and W. James Ave. in reference to suspicious trespass.

11:01 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

GRAFFITI

12:18 pm – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to graffiti.

3:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to graffiti.

3:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 W. Yucca Ave. in reference to graffiti.

DOMESTIC

12:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 11th St. in reference to physical domestic.

SUSPICIOUS

7:50 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Champ Clark Ave. and 10th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

March 19

Arrest

Johnathan Bravo arrested for trespass.

SUSPICIOUS

2:29 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

3:14 am – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

7:02 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Bush Ave. in reference to a suspicious trespass.

WELFARE

8:17 am – Officer dispatched 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

WANTED

9:00 am- Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

WELFARE

10:22 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

GRAFFITI

10:23 am – Officer dispatched to JJ Clark Dr. and Centennial Ave. in reference to graffiti.

1:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to graffiti.

WELFARE

2:27 pm -Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ARMED

4:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 6th St. in reference to an armed subject.

SUSPICIOUS

5:56 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a suspicious person.

RECKLESS

6:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 5th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

DOMESTIC

9:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of Carper Dr. in reference to verbal domestic.

March 20

SUSPICIOUS

9:59 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Champ Clark Dr. in reference to suspicious activity.

10:32 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

GRAFFITI

1:38 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to graffiti.

1:44 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to graffiti.

3:30 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block N. 5th St. in reference to graffiti.

WELFARE

4:57 pm – Officer dispatched to N. Roselawn Ave. and W. Bush Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DISTURBANCE

7:12 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of Carper Dr. in reference to disturbance.

DOMESTIC

10:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

March 21

Arrest

Savannah Herrera Lopez arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxication liquor, resisting, evading, obstructing an officer.

Andrew Delarosa arrested for shoplifting.

Alan Hensley arrested for burglary of structure.

Jonathan Anthony Bravo arrested for contempt of court, failure to comply.

Elizabeth Michelle Nailon arrested for battery against a household member.

Benjamin Anthony Arenivas arrested for Larceny from all other. Driving on revoked license.

Christina Marissa Flores arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxication liquor deadly weapon.

SHOTS FIRED

3:29 am -Officer dispatched to N. 78th St. and W. Lolita Ave. in reference to shots fired in the area.

WELFARE

7:38 am – Officer dispatched to 3200 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of a child.