Candidates announced to fill empty seat

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - In the few months, before the November election, Governor Susana Martinez will appoint someone to take the empty seat on the county commission.

It will most likely be a republican, giving them the majority on the commission for the first time in nearly four decades.

The Paseo project, funding for the Bernalillo County sheriff's department and transparency have been hot button issues for the five commissioners, which were three democrats and two republicans.

Now that Michelle Lujan Grisham's seat is up for grabs the parties announced their picks to fill it.

Democratic City Councilor Debbie O’Malley and Republican Attorney Simon Kubiak were picked to fill the empty seat.

“i look forward to talking with people meeting with people in the next few months learning more about the district learning what the problems are,” O’Malley said.

Kubiak says he is not in it for the money.

“I’m not doing this for the money and I’m certainly not doing this to further my career and I really want to serve the people and I want to make it a better place for my kids and Bernalillo County,” Kubiak said.

Before that can happen it's up to Governor Martinez to appoint an interim commissioner

Likely a republican and political blogger Joe Monahan says that gives them the majority and ability to pass partisan agendas.

“I would look for them to perhaps strengthen the BCSO there may be some examination of the union contract and union negotiations so the unions may be on tippy toe about this,” Monahan said.

Monahan says it's an opportunity republican's haven't had in decades.

“What will be more exciting is the three or four months that the county commission will be in control of the republicans that will cause the democrats to pull their hair out times,” Monahan said.

But both candidates have their own agendas come November..

“Renovating parks making sure the community centers are well run all of those things are important to families,” O’Malley said.

Kubiak also shared his ideas.

“Return the county to its principal functions of infrastructure and public safety,” Kubiak said.

Kubiak brought up the Paseo / 1-25 interchange project as one of the major differences between himself and his opponent.

He said he would have like to have seen it passed by lawmakers and started on as soon as possible since it's a project that voters would likely approve anyway.

"I support letting the voters have a say on the matter. The bond question is going to the voters—there is no changing that now. The Bernalillo County Commission and the City Council have approved sending the Paseo question to voters this November," O'Malley explained.

She says spending a large amount of taxpayer money needs to be up to the taxpayers.

The governor will most likely appoint someone to the seat by Tuesday during next commission meeting.