Login

McKinley County Democrats need officers

Print

Over 150 positions open

The election of new officers for McKinley County Democrats is set to take place at the end of March.

The group’s supporters will elect the following:

Precinct Chairs for all 62 McKinley County Precincts

Ward Chairs for all six McKinley County Wards/School Districts

86 additional McKinley County Central Committee Members

These newly elected officers will form the McKinley County Central Committee, who will in turn elect the following:

McKinley County Democratic Party Chair

McKinley County Democratic Party Vice Chair

11 additional State Central Committee Members representing McKinley County

Cas Hoefman, chair of McKinley County Democrats, spoke with the Sun about these elections and what has led to his current position.

“I was not into politics until a few years ago [when I moved to Gallup], when I saw the opportunity to make a change,” Hoefman said March 8.

“It is hard to get people involved in smaller, rural communities,” Hoefman added, saying it has been that challenge that spurred him to get people engaged and organized.

With more than 150 positions open, it’s an opportunity for people to get involved, according to Hoefman. He added that anyone who wants to run for any of the open positions can announce their candidacy by March 30, when elections will take place at the Veterans Hall.

“It is important for people to know if they want their voices heard, to get involved,” Hoefman said.

These elections are held every two years. In order to run, a candidate must be a registered Democrat in McKinley County and in the precinct or ward where they are running, for at least 30 days.

Candidates can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. They have to receive at least two votes, and one more than any other candidate to be elected, according to the McKinley County Democrats website.

Voters and candidates can verify what precinct or ward they live in at: www.voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/WhereToVote.aspx.

The large number of openings offers candidates a chance to express a diversity of ideas in McKinley County, Hoefman said. The elected officers will also have a powerful voice in bringing important issues concerning McKinley County to the rest of the state, as well as a greater ability to push for what they stand for, he added.

“We have an opportunity to showcase our county [to the rest of the state],” Hoefman said. “We can work toward things that are important to McKinley County.”

For more information, visit www.mckinleycountydemocrats.org/.

By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent

Share/Save/Bookmark