Two neighbors running in Muleshoe mayor's race

MULESHOE — Two neighbors are running for the City of Muleshoe’s top political slot in the town’s mayoral race on Saturday.

Erin Jo Gonzales, a local nurse practitioner, who among other things, hopes to curb the city’s tax dollar spending, will face off against current city council member and funeral home director Colt Ellis.

Ellis is the vice president and manager of Ellis Funeral Homes in addition to his position on the council. Ellis could not be reached by The News for comment.

Gonzales said that if elected to run Muleshoe, economic development, protecting the water table, maintaining local parks and playgrounds, and starting a local recycling program would be some of the things she hopes to accomplish.

Gonzales, who holds a master’s degree in nursing administration, said that her background gives her a unique edge in the race.

“That aspect of management and budgeting has definitely played a role in who I have become as a (healthcare) provider, so I think it would play a role in who I would become as mayor,” Gonzales said.

On day one, Gonzales said, “I just want to make sure we really put a cap on our tax dollar spending. We spend a lot of money.”

“I really want to make sure we watch where we spend our money and do a deep dive on the budget and prepare for 2022,” she said.

Gonzales said that because of her background in administration, and her experience running her own private practice, she knows how to run payroll, and how to “fiscally prepare for longevity.”

As mayor, Gonzales said she would coordinate with both local and state leadership to make sure Muleshoe is adequately prepared to respond to future disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Muleshoe was hit hard by the pandemic, Gonzales said, and while it is difficult to staff the local hospital for the worst, it is important to make sure to be prepared for the unknown.

Gonzales, who moved to Muleshoe when she was 10, said that being mayor in a town like hers is about making sure every voice is heard.

“That is the way that I think about it,” Gonzales said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with who you are or where you live. It’s like how many people do you interact with? Do you interact with people throughout our entire community? Are you going to speak their voice when you go and sit in front of the city council? That is what we are looking for.”

Gonzales said she would have an open door policy as mayor, she would hope the community would feel comfortable coming to her with questions.

“That’s how I want to involve the community. I want every single person from every walk of life to feel like they can walk up to me anywhere anytime and ask," Gonzales added.

The polls close at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and Gonzales said she will be checking the results that evening from her son’s T-ball game.

In addition to the mayoral race, there are other elections to keep an eye on.

• Crystal Alarcon, Cory Contreras and Preston Scott Miller are running in a special election for council member, District 1.

• Sergio Leal and Lela Hancock Jones are running in a general election for School Board Trustee, District 4, and Steve Clinton and Jr. Martinez are running in a general election for school board trustee, District 1.