City Council district nine candidates

This story has been updated from its original version

The candidates competing for the opportunity to lead district nine are incumbent city councilor Renée Grout and challenger Colton Newman. Former candidate Melani Buchanan Farmer has withdrawn from the race. Grout declined an interview with the Daily Lobo, citing a full schedule.

Colton Newman

Newman is a current grade at large representative on the University of New Mexico’s Staff Council Executive Committee. He hopes to bring his experience as an everyday person to city council, he said. He believes that his professional experience on the University’s Staff Council’s Executive Committee uniquely qualifies him for city council, as he works closely with government relations to advocate for better benefits, pay and annual raises for staff, Newman said.

Newman would like to encourage people to pursue higher education, "if that's their dream," and take a page from UNM’s playbook and “Trump-proof” as much as possible, in case the city comes under fire the same way that higher education has, he said. Newman said he hopes to accomplish this through renewed communications with the mayor’s office and a “full force push to get things done.”

With the $1.5 million typically appropriated to improve their district, Newman said he plans to focus on infrastructure such as road care, lighting issues, better kept green spaces and ensuring that these are the same throughout all neighborhoods.

“I’m someone who wants to stand up for the working class and make sure that everyone has the ability to live in a nice neighborhood, a safe neighborhood,” Newman said. 

Newman believes that the main concerns of the city are homelessness and crime, he said. He hopes to solve these issues through transparency and accountability of existing programs, as well as establishing new and renewed programs. 

Newman plans to effectively reopen the mental health facilities closed by former Gov. Susana Martinez in an effort to provide care for those who might be inclined to self medicate, he said. 

Newman said he would like to see some metrics come out of the Gateway Center and the Albuquerque Community Safety department, evaluating its program effectiveness.

“If we’re funneling hundreds of millions of dollars into these taxpayer-sponsored facilities, we have something to show for it,” Newman said.

Editor's Note: This story originally said that former candidate Melani Buchanan Farmer would still appear on the ballot. She withdrew before the filing deadline and will not appear on the ballot. The paragraph starting with: Newman would like to encourage people to pursue higher education, has been updated to more accurately reflect the candidate's position.

Michael Padilla is a freelance reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo