City Councilor Nate Duckett will run for Farmington mayor
FARMINGTON — As the filing date for the municipal elections approaches, some candidates are beginning to announce their intention to run for office.
The most recent candidate announcement came from Farmington City Councilor Nate Duckett, who said Wednesday he plans to run for mayor of Farmington. Mayor Tommy Roberts has decided not to run for re-election. Duckett is the first Farmington resident to officially announce plans to throw his hat into the ring for the mayor's office.
That move will leave Duckett's City Council seat without an incumbent in the March election.
Candidates will have to file their paperwork Jan. 9 at the city or town hall in the municipality she or he hopes to represent. Candidates must bring a declaration of candidacy and a certified copy of his or her current affidavit of voter registration. The affidavit can be obtained from the County Clerk's Office. The affidavit must feature a date that is not earlier than when the city or town adopted the election resolution. Bloomfield adopted its resolution on Nov. 27. Farmington and Aztec adopted their resolutions on Nov. 28. Kirtland adopted its resolution on Nov. 14.
Candidate information packets can be found on Farmington's website, fmtn.org, or at the Aztec and Bloomfield city hall, 201 W. Chaco St. in Aztec and 915 N. 1st St. in Bloomfield, or Kirtland Town Hall, 47 County Road 6500. The municipal elections will be held on March 6.
During his time on the City Council, Duckett has served as the chairman of the Farmington Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is a collaborative effort for transportation planning in San Juan County.
Duckett said if elected he hopes to continue with the efforts that the council has been working on for the past four years, including strengthening and diversifying the economy.
"They're important to me, and I want to make sure we carry them forward," he said.
He said the council has maintained a conservative budget during the economic downturn, and in the years ahead, it will be important to focus on following through with projects the council recently approved for funding through the refinancing of bonds.
Duckett said he will continue trying to promote the local outdoor recreation economy, as well as manufacturing and tourism.
Farmington is the only local municipality whose city government is split into districts. People running for Duckett's seat must live in District 4. The council seat for District 3 is also up for election. It is currently represented by Gayla McCulloch. District maps can be found at fmtn.org.
In Aztec, Victor Snover and Rosalyn Fry have announced plans to run for the three open City Commission seats. Mayor Sally Burbridge and City Commissioner Katee McClure have said they will not run again. City Commissioner Sheri Rogers' seat is also up for election. The Aztec mayor position is a commissioner chosen by the City Commission to serve in that role.
In Bloomfield, the mayor position and two City Council positions are up for election.
Kirtland has two Town Council positions up for election this year.
In addition to the council and mayoral seats, municipal judge elections also will be held in March.
Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 or via email at hgrover@daily-times.com.