Karla Hamel and Jeff Forrest elected to Carlsbad City Council in Nov. 2 elections
Karla Hamel and Jeff Forrest were elected to the the Carlsbad City Council Nov. 2, in what were strongly contested races among candidates boasting name recognition, experience and influence in the City of Carlsbad.
Hamel, former executive director of Carlsbad MainStreet, defeated former Eddy County Magistrate Dick Van Dyk for the Ward 3 seat vacated by Jason Shirley.
Unofficially, Hamel received 270 votes and Van Dyk picked up 178.
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Shirley announced earlier this year he would not seek another term, opening the door for a new face on the Council of eight for the first time since 2012.
“It feels very weird to not be on the ballot today,” Shirley said as Carlsbad residents cast ballots during local elections Nov. 2.
“I had to admit it’s very bittersweet but I’m excited for the opportunities that the new City Council member has in front of them.”
During the campaign Hamel spent time visiting residences in the ward that encompasses Carlsbad’s north side and downtown areas.
“My favorite part of campaigning over the last couple of months has been knocking on doors," she said.
Hamel, and all other elected officials, take office in January 2022.
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Hamel left Carlsbad MainStreet in 2020 and now serves as public relations director for Carlsbad’s Center for Excellence (CEHMM).
“We are not just residents of the same city, we are a big family,” she said.
Forrest, the grandson of former Carlsbad Mayor Bob Forrest, defeated Ward 2 incumbent Leo Estrada, 341 to 264.
Estrada sought a second term after election to the seat in 2018. He was appointed in 2016 to complete the term of Sandra Nunley who resigned her seat.
Forrest, who manages the Forrest Tire location in Carlsbad, will represent northwestern Carlsbad when his term starts early next year.
Forrest said campaigning for City Council was a learning experience.
“I went door-to-door pretty much all over the ward,” he said. Forest watched early results posted in the election at the Eddy County Clerk’s office in Carlsbad on Tuesday.
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“I had a lot of good talks with people. I’ve got a lot of support,” he said.
Tuesday’s election was Forrest’s initial entry for public office.
“I respect anyone that does it. Most of my experience’s were pretty good with people. Sometimes people can be a little rough when going door-to-door on Saturday morning when they don’t want to talk,” he said.
“The process was good and I know some people on City Council. Every person on City Council was super helpful.”
Ward 1 incumbent City Councilor Edward Rodriguez did not have any opposition and picked up 171 votes. Ward 1 encompasses downtown Carlsbad and ends south near the city limits.
Ward 4 incumbent Mark Walterscheid was unopposed as well in the Nov. 2 election and garnered 530 votes. Ward 4 begins south of Carlsbad and ends in the northeastern part of the City.
Carlsbad city councilors serve four year terms. All results are unofficial until Eddy County performs a canvas of the election.
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Loving and Hope elections see new faces join public service
Carlsbad City Councilor’s were not the only ones on Eddy County’s local election ballot Nov. 2.
Loving voters elected Richard Campos and Jackie Lee Onsurez to the Loving Village Council.
Campos defeated Mario Vasquez for Position 3 with 113 votes to Vasquez's 107. Onsurez defeated Munoz for Position 3.
In the far northern Eddy County Village of Hope Charles William Fletcher was elected mayor.
The Hope village council will see David Romine seated for District 1 and David Smith for District 2, as both were unopposed.
Kristin Pope and Charles Goodwin won seats on the Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation Board without opposition.
Andrew Kennedy defeated Dean Lee 688 to 632 for Central Valley Soil and Water Conservation Board Supervisor 3.
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Catarino Varelas was unopposed for Penasco Soil and Water Conservation Board 4 Supervisor with 50 votes.
Randy Elkins was unopposed for Penasco Soil and Water Conservation Board Supervisor 5 with 56 votes.
Greg Conklin and Clovis Dale Davidson had no opposition for seats on the Cottonwood-Walnut Creek Watershed Board.
Daniel Parker and Karen Waldrip won seats on the Artesia Special Hospital District Board of Directors without opposition.
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A tax question for Artesia General Hospital passed with 1,036 votes for to 633 against.
The Eddy County Clerk’s office said 4,406 residents voted in the Nov. 2 local elections and 33,893 were eligible to vote.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Carlsbad City Council gets two new members in Nov. 2 elections
