Unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website show Rep. William R. Rehm (R) winning the state house District 31 race with a 10% lead over Athena Ann Christodoulou (D).
Rehm received 8,507 votes and Christodoulou 6,963 with all 38 precincts fully reporting. New Mexico Secretary of State 2021 voter registration data indicates there were a total of 26,232 registered voters in District 31. With a total of 15,470 votes cast, that is about a 59% turnout for District 31.
As of Jan. 29, 2021, 42% of registered voters in District 31 were Republican, 35% Democrat, 22% other and 1% Libertarian. Neighborhoods in District 31 include North Domingo Baca, Nor Este, West La Cueva, Vineyard Estates, North Albuquerque Acres, Sandia Heights, Tanoan East, Peppertree, Antelope Run and a portion of High Desert.
Rehm is a retired police officer who has served as a state representative since 2006. In the 2022 regular legislative session, he sponsored 23 bills, including the Organized Retail Crime House Bill 29. The bill would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of goods stolen when a thief shoplifts or steals multiple items from different stores. Although the bill was postponed indefinitely, security consultants and law enforcement have showed support for the bill in the past.
Rehm attached his name to $237.15 million worth of projects in the 2022 capital outlay request, including the $20 million requested for the construction of an aquatic center at North Domingo Baca Park. Many legislators attached their name to the NDB pool project, including House District 27 Rep. Marian Matthews (D) who also won re-election on Tuesday.
Other capital outlay request funds from Rehm include $154,374 for equipment and the construction of an outdoor classroom at Desert Ridge Middle School, $330,270 for renovations and equipment at Double Eagle Elementary, $83,850 for fencing, equipment and other improvements at North Star Elementary and $80,829 to install information technology and other equipment at La Cueva High School, among other requests.
Rehm did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Neighborhood Journal.