Santa Fe District 2 candidates debate housing, water and public safety at city forum

A candidate forum for the interim Santa Fe City Council District 2 seat on Saturday brought nine applicants before residents and a live stream to explain their priorities as the mayor prepares to appoint a replacement in the coming weeks.

Mayor (unnamed in the transcript) opened the session, apologized for microphone and livestream problems, and said the council plans to appoint a District 2 replacement in the near term. He also announced a Charter Review Commission that will study separation of powers in the city charter and deliver recommendations by April 2027; he described a process in which each governing‑body member will select a commissioner and encouraged residents to apply via the city clerk's office.

Each candidate delivered a two‑minute opening statement under moderator rules that prohibited campaign signs, audience reactions and unsanctioned rebuttals. Cam Crawford introduced himself as a Santa Fe County firefighter and vice chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico and framed housing affordability, homelessness and behavioral‑health access as emergencies. Aurora Martinez, a lifelong Santa Fe resident and community advocate, emphasized representing socioeconomically vulnerable precincts. Other candidates who spoke included Brandon Veil, Stephanie Benonato (participating remotely), Berl Brechner, Eric Radack, Paul Bustamante, Mary Jo Metzger and Leroy Trujillo.

Question rounds focused on district priorities, water availability, public safety and immigration. Candidates repeatedly cited housing affordability, homelessness and public‑safety staffing as top concerns; several urged denser housing, stronger enforcement of short‑term‑rental rules, and expanded behavioral‑health and alternative response teams. On water, candidates recommended conservation measures, gray‑water and wastewater reuse, regional planning and investment in aging infrastructure. On immigration, most candidates said the city should protect immigrant rights and provide information and legal resources, while some emphasized the federal role and law enforcement boundaries.

The forum concluded with the moderator reminding the public that full question lists and submitted questions would be posted online and that remote candidate responses would be available on the city's YouTube channel for residents who could not hear them in the room.