Santa Fe Standard

According to two directors who spent the last 30 days in Santa Fe, there isn't any representation of Rio Rancho in administration roles at the state Legislature.

Executive Director of Viante New Mexico Rhiannon Samuel and Sandoval Economic Alliance Director of Business Development Bridget Condon discussed the lack of leadership in a meeting held on March 5 at the Viante headquarters.

Viante is a nonprofit that informs the public about what is being done in legislation.

Condon said there are 56 leadership openings among committee chair and vice-chair seats. These opportunities also include party leadership positions. Out of the 56 leadership positions, three Sandoval County representatives hold roles.

Those representatives are Rep. Derrick Lente, Rep. Daymon Ely and Sen. Benny Shendo.

Cordon said none of those legislators represent districts in Rio Rancho and this poses a problem when residents have questions about the state of their districts.

“We are about to be the second largest city, and there are zero representatives from Rio Rancho in leadership positions in Santa Fe,” Condon said.

According to Condon, the Las Cruces district hold eight positions of leadership. Condon also highlighted that Santa Fe holds nine positions and Albuquerque holds 20 available positions.

Condon said this is something to think about when residents want to be heard. She pointed out that residents of Santa Fe often falsely claim that Rio Rancho residents don't need anything. She said that is far from the truth.

“So that is something to think about when we say, ‘How do we get our priorities heard,'” she said. “Unfortunately, quite often people say in Santa Fe, ‘People in Rio Rancho don’t need anything,’ and as you know, that is not true. We have a lot of challenges.”

Residents in every district have needs and suggestions that they should direct to their local representatives. Districts without representation often suffer the most neglect.