Montaño announces run for city council

Steven Montaño has officially announced his bid to replace District 4 representative Steve Trowbridge on the Las Cruces City Council.

Montano, who currently works as the Southern New Mexico senior business development consultant for the state’s Economic Development Department, is a native Las Crucen who pledged, in a news release, to bring “fair and honest government” to the city if elected.

“I have always been a strong proponent of respectful work ethics, volunteerism and improving the quality of life in my community for family and neighbors alike, and I will take that code with me to the Las Cruces City Council,” he said in the release.

Trowbridge isn’t seeking another term on Nov. 6. Local businessman Isaac Chavez has also announced his campaign for the council seat.

Montaño is a graduate of Mayfield High School and New Mexico State University, where he earned a bachelor’s in business management and accounting. He is a military veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm, and has worked in business and finance at the state and federal levels. In his current job, Montaño said he has helped bring many businesses and high-paying jobs to Southern New Mexico.

“I believe in hard work, loyalty, dedication and fairness,” Montaño said. “Those have been the key elements in conducting my personal and professional life, and will serve me well as I move into another area of public service. Too often, politics takes the front seat in city government, and constituencies suffer as a result. It will be my honor to be of service to the community where I was raised.”

Montaño is married and has two sons, one seven years old and the other six months old.