Sharon Thomas secured more than 54 percent of the vote today in becoming the new District 6 representative on the
Of 2,448 votes cast, Thomas had 1,322, or 54 percent, to Karen Trujillo’s 578 votes, or 24 percent.
“I think that people really want change and they went out and voted,” Thomas said. “People want the city to have some new leadership.”
Lawrence Joy finished with 240 votes, or 10 percent, while Berchard Ray Shipley finished with 207 votes, or 8 percent, and Patrick J. Curran finished with 101 votes, or 4 percent.
Thomas spoke by phone from a volunteer appreciation party attended by 50-60 people. She said she has “lost count” of how many people helped her campaign. She expected to come out ahead tonight, but didn’t know if she would secure the 40 percent necessary to avoid a runoff.
“I figured that I would win by a whole lot or it would be too close and it would be a runoff,” she said. “But we were getting very good response.”
Thomas’ election means a well-organized group of activists – in the November election and tonight – have successfully convinced Las Cruces voters to make candidates they backed the majority on the council. Many of the people who helped Thomas are members of the Quality Growth Alliance she helped found, and they were also instrumental in the November elections of former District 6 Councilor Ken Miyagishima as mayor and of Miguel Silva and Nathan Small to the council.
Update, 10:05 p.m.
I’m planning an in-depth analysis piece on Thomas’ victory, but if you want the quick version, you can listen to my interview with Radio Las Cruces by clicking here.