Mayoral campaign cash race: Piland out-raises Wymer in first runoff report, but trails in total funds raised

Alexandria Piland out-raised Paul Wymer in the first campaign finance reporting period of the Rio Rancho mayoral runoff — and holds nearly double his cash on hand — as both candidates make their final financial push before the April 14 election.

Piland’s committee, Elect Alexandria, raised $18,185 in the first runoff reporting period to Wymer’s $17,764.56, according to reports filed with the Rio Rancho City Clerk. Piland has spent $35,361.24 of her $74,553.01 raised to date, leaving roughly $39,200 on hand. Wymer has raised more overall — $79,925.77 — but has spent $60,100.52, leaving him with an estimated $19,800 heading into the final two weeks.

Wymer’s spending reflects an operation built on paid media and professional management. His campaign paid $10,000 to Yancey’s for campaign management and voter outreach, $8,038.39 to Clear Channel for digital billboard advertising, $6,236.82 to Cumulus Media for radio advertising and $3,210 to California-based Howell and Embers for social and video media. Piland’s largest single expenditure was $5,223 to Lamar Companies for billboards, with significant additional spending on postcards, yard signs and walk cards through Print Masters, a Rio Rancho printer.

Piland’s donor list includes several notable names. State Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Rio Rancho, contributed $250. New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland — the former U.S. Interior Secretary and New Mexico congresswoman — contributed $250. Former state Sen. Brenda McKenna, of Corrales, gave $200. Piland’s largest individual donor was Peter Coha of Corrales, who contributed $3,000 across two transactions. Piland also drew two $2,500 contributions from the Central NM Labor Council. Wymer’s largest individual contributions in the reporting period included a $5,000 check from Young Guns Construction of Los Lunas and a combined $6,000 from Roadrunner Redimix, JPR Decorative Gravel and Drunner Insurance Services — all Albuquerque-area firms.

Vote in the Rio Rancho Mayoral Runoff

Early voting runs March 31–April 11. Election Day is Tuesday, April 14. Same-day voter registration is available at all early voting locations.

Early voting locations:

• Broadmoor Senior Center/Clerk’s Annex, 3421 Broadmoor Blvd. (Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat. April 4 & 11, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.)
• Loma Colorado Main Library, 755 Loma Colorado Blvd.
• Sabana Grande, 4114 Sabana Grande Ave. SE
• The Hub @ Enchanted Hills, 7845 Enchanted Hills Blvd.
• Southern Blvd., 2345 Southern Blvd., Suite C2