Two candidates are vying for the Rio Rancho District 5 City Council seat, with incumbent Karissa Culbreath facing a challenge from combat veteran Calvin Ward.

Culbreath, who was appointed to the council by Mayor Gregg Hull in 2020 and elected by voters in 2022, is touting improvements in infrastructure, public safety and economic development during her tenure.

Ward, a self-described visionary leader and strategic thinker, said he decided to run amid the city’s rapid growth and following the departure of a long-standing mayor.

“This is not just a situation for leaders — it demands visionaries,” Ward told The 528. “This is not a role everyone has the capacity to fulfill.”

Culbreath’s record

During her first term, Culbreath said she focused on residents’ top priorities: roads and infrastructure, public safety and economic development.

The council approved a General Obligation bond for full reconstruction of major roadways, including 19th Avenue, and expanded a crack-patch program for residential road repairs. More than 50% of residential roads have been repaired through the Hybrid Mill and Inlay program, according to Culbreath. State-funded repairs for Western Hills and Barbara Loop are scheduled for coming months.

In District 5, the city added staffing to police and fire departments, reopened a fire station near Mariposa and began construction on a new station near Unser and Westside, Culbreath told The 528.

She said that improvements came while maintaining lower gross receipts and property tax rates compared to surrounding communities.

If reelected, Culbreath said she plans to continue residential road repairs and support economic development. She cited The Villages development, including the opening of Market Street grocery as Rio Rancho’s first flagship store, as evidence of growing economic investment.

Culbreath also wants to advance construction of Rio Rancho’s first Multigenerational Community Center, for which design funding has been approved.

Ward’s priorities

Ward said he would focus on building relationships with businesses and constituents, improving constituent communication and promoting evidence-based legislation.

“What I plan to bring to my district that is not already being done is simple: visionary and strategic leadership as applied to past, present and future problems,” Ward said.

Based on interviews and surveys conducted by his campaign, Ward identified key constituent concerns including homelessness-induced crime, lack of familiarity with city officials, unresponsive government and small businesses closing due to rent increases.

Ward said constituents also expressed concerns about business safety and security related to mental illness and homelessness, and what he described as a “perceived lack of concern from the city towards solopreneurs and microbusinesses.”

He said he plans to create “out of the box” solutions to address issues including gross receipts tax leakage, senior citizen involvement and youth engagement.

Ward said he aims to bring “unique value to city government while working cohesively and synergistically with all stakeholders to provide sustainable ideas, solutions and best practices.”

District 5 concerns

District 5 residents frequently cite roads as a primary concern, according to Culbreath. Several streets have benefited from the Hybrid Mill and Inlay program, including May Circle, Sue Circle, Robin Road, 38th Street and 23rd Avenue. Patch and seal work was completed on Palmas Altas.

Another concern residents raise is the need for more youth activities, Culbreath said. The city recently funded pilot youth programming, which she said she looks forward to expanding.

“Rio Rancho is an incredible place to live,” Culbreath said. “I am excited to continue serving our city and look forward to representing District 5.”

Ward said the biggest issues and concerns in the district are a topic for Culbreath but has communicated with constituents and businesses in the district that have been concerned with crime, communication from city officials, small businesses leaving the city or shutting down due to increases in rent and infrastructure concerns amidst rapid growth.

“I am a combat veteran, a visionary leader and strategic thinker who has the ability to bring unique value to city government while working cohesively and synergistically with all stakeholders to provide sustainable ideas, solutions and best practices to the City of Vision,” Ward said.