Kurt Anderson, Fernando Clemente and Christopher Cardenas have announced their candidacies for the board of the Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District. They will be running at large for the three DASWC positions that will be on ballot for most Doña Ana County residents in the November 5 consolidated election.
All three candidates are conservationists, and all view conservation broadly, to include sustainable agricultural practices, wildlife management, habitat development, respect for both private and public lands, and the conservation of our soil and water resources.
Anderson, running for Position 1, is a retired NMSU professor with a strong interest in sustainable water use, with service on the boards of local water associations and on the Lower Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Committee. A long-time Sierra Club member, he is particularly interested in water supply, water conservation and watershed protection, as well as rangeland conservation and restoration in times of drought.
Clemente, running for Position 2, is a wildlife biologist and owner of New Mexico Specialized Wildlife Services, where he works with public and private landowners to foster wise and responsible land stewardship, with a special emphasis on shared interests like agriculture, wildlife and natural resources. An active sportsman and conservationist, he is a board member of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and board president of the Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.
Cardenas, running for Position 5, is an attorney and the owner of a small pecan orchard in Mesilla. He is interested in implementing policies that support community projects like urban gardens and that provide on-going education and land stewardship opportunities for both rural and urban residents. He wants to make sure our natural resources will be available for use and enjoyment for generations to come.
The November 5 consolidated election will feature mayoral, city council and school board contests, and will also include, for all county voters living south of Hatch, the three DASWCD positions. Early voting begins at the County Building on Motel Boulevard on October 8, and at satellite early voting sites beginning on October 19. For voting locations, residents can call the Bureau of Elections at (575) 647-7428.