Mayor not yet decided on another run

While the presidential election will hog the spotlight in 2020, local elections are first up, starting with signup day Jan. 7.

Clovis Mayor David Lansford said he’s not yet decided whether to seek another four-year term.

“It’s a decision that requires a lot of thought and, if in the affirmative, will require a lot of commitment for four years of service,” Lansford said.

Lansford said he will make his final decision on Monday or Tuesday.

In addition to the mayor’s race, four city commissioner spots and the municipal judge seat are up for re-election in Clovis. Portales City Council will also have four positions open.

Municipal Election Day is March 3.

In Clovis, District 1 Commissioner David Robinson, District 2 Commissioner Sandra Taylor-Sawyer, District 3 Commissioner Helen Casaus, and District 4 Commissioner Chris Bryant are up for re-election.

Robinson, who was appointed to fill the seat after the departure of Ladona Clayton this year, said he would not be running.

“When Clayton moved to Dallas I was elected to fill her term, which will be up in February,” Robinson said. “It was an honor to be appointed, but it’ll be an even bigger honor for whoever gets elected.”

Taylor-Sawyer and Bryant confirmed they would be running for another term, while Casaus could not be reached for comment.

Municipal Court Judge Vicki Kelley is also up for re-election in Clovis, but could not be reached for comment. When first appointed to the position following the departure of Jan Garrett, Kelley stated she did intend to run for re-election when the time came.

In Portales, this election will see newly appointed candidates receive a stipend increase for their terms following a successful vote during a July meeting. Council members have not received such a raise since 1992.

Portales council member salaries will be increased from $4,800 to $7,200 for the four who are elected in 2020, with the remaining four seats receiving the same increase following re-election in 2022.

The Portales mayor’s salary will also increase to $12,000 following the 2022 election.

“I think everyone on the council does it because they want to. It’s not a substantial income and most of us have careers or professions beyond that,” City Councilor Jessica Smith said. “But I think it will help people in the future and help us get with the times to get that pay scale closer to what’s normal nowadays.”

Smith, Chad Heflin, Jim Lucero and Veronica Cordova are all up for re-election in Portales. Smith and Lucero both told The News they’d be throwing their hats in for another term, while Heflin is still tentative to run for another, but says he’ll probably decide for certain after mid-week. Cordova could not be reached for comment.