Pecos Mayoral Race Highlights Divergent Views on Public Safety

Pecos Mayor Telesfor “Ted” Benavidez is seeking reelection against Ralph Angelo Lopez, a longtime volunteer fire chief and current mayor pro tempore. The race, intensifying ahead of the elections, is marked by disagreements over public safety and local policing strategies.

Benavidez, who openly discusses his past battles with addiction and health challenges, including the removal of a brain tumor, frames his candidacy as a story of redemption. He emphasizes his commitment to leaving a positive legacy. “I let the whole state of New Mexico know what I had gone through,” Benavidez stated, referencing a candid interview with a local television station. “I was a drug dealer and an addict. Now I’ve been sober for years.”

A contentious incident in July, when Benavidez reportedly took part in a citizen’s arrest of a suspected drunken driver, has emerged as a focal point in the campaign. According to police reports, the driver crashed into a guard rail, prompting bystanders, including Benavidez, to intervene. The details of his involvement remain unclear, with Benavidez asserting he did not physically restrain the individual but encouraged others to act. “The guy was spitting at us and hitting people,” he recalled.

Lopez, running a campaign focused on integrity, has raised concerns about Benavidez’s management style. He pointed out the village Board of Trustees held a “no confidence” vote against the mayor, citing issues with micromanagement and procurement practices. “He shouldn’t be doing that. He’s not law enforcement,” Lopez said, referencing the incident involving the citizen’s arrest.

Despite their differences, both candidates agree on the need for improved policing in Pecos. Currently, the village relies on the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office and state police, as it lacks its own police department. Lopez advocates for increased patrols by state police and reopening a substation in the village, claiming that police presence has diminished since Benavidez assumed office. “I’ve just got to speak with the chief of state police and see if I can bring them back,” he said.

In contrast, Benavidez has proposed hiring a village marshal to enhance local law enforcement. He believes that his personal experiences position him to address community issues effectively. Pecos, while not experiencing high levels of violent crime, faces challenges related to speeding and drug use. Lopez has highlighted the need for youth programs to deter drug use, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in addressing these issues.

“There’s a lot of drugs… young kids riding motorcycles, four-wheelers,” Lopez noted. “Somebody’s going to get hurt. And there’s no one there to enforce it.”

Beyond policing concerns, the candidates also focus on critical infrastructure projects, particularly the town’s aging water systems. Pecos is currently undertaking Phase 2 of a significant water systems improvement project, which includes laying over 900 feet of new waterline and installing fire hydrants on Ponderosa Road and along N.M. 50. Benavidez, who became mayor in 2018, believes that progress has been made in addressing these long-standing issues.

“We’re repairing water lines that have been underground for 60 years falling apart,” he explained. “We’ve paved roads people thought were never going to get paved.”

Lopez also supports ongoing infrastructure improvements, including connecting the community of East Pecos to the municipal water system and the Rincon Road Project, aimed at preventing contamination of local groundwater.

As the election approaches, the candidates will continue to define their visions for Pecos, with public safety and infrastructure at the forefront of community concerns. The outcome will ultimately shape the future of this small New Mexican village.