Candidates who filed for local offices Tuesday gathered for a group photo in the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office, from left, Patrick Brenner, Amy Woods, Kristin Henderson, Chris Chandler, Wendy Laird, Naomi Maestas, Steven Girrens, Bill McKerley, Antonio Maggiore and Pete Sheehey. Council candidate Jaret McDonald and candidates for state offices not pictured include Dist. 43 incumbent Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, challenger Sharon Stover, Jennifer Attrep for First Judicial District Court judge and incumbent Karyl Ann Armbruster for PED. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Council candidate Patrick Brenner draws an ace as Jaret Mcdonald’s Campaign Manager James Robinson selects a card for his candidate to determine placement on the June Primary Election ballot. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The race is on for 15 candidates who filed for local and state offices Tuesday.

Democrat Stephanie Garcia Richard of White Rock filed for reelection to her Dist. 43 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. She is being challenged in the 2016 General Election in November by Republican Sharon Stover, also of White Rock.

Gov. Susana Martinez appointed Jennifer Attrep as First Judicial District Court judge and Attrep filed Tuesday at the Secretary of State’s Office in Santa Fe to be elected to the position.

Public Education Department Commissioner Karyl Ann Armbruster of Los Alamos filed for reelection at the Secretary of State’s Office in Santa Fe.

Democratic County Councilor Pete Sheehey was first to file Tuesday morning for local races.

“Los Alamos has been a good home for me and I think we can make it even better,” Sheehey said. “When I ran and was elected four years ago to the County Council, I said that I would help  County Government keep spending within reasonable limits, and yet go ahead with needed investments in infrastructure, education, economic development, and recreational amenities. These are things that will make our town more inviting to everyone, from students and single people, to families with children, to retired people.” (Read Sheehey’s reelection column at ladailypost.com.)

There are three seats up on the County Council and Democrat Kristin Henderson and Republican Steven Girrens also are seeking reelection.

Two Democrats and two Republicans are challenging the incumbents. The Democratic candidates are attorney Chris Chandler and business owner Antonio Maggiore.

“I’ve loved living here for more than 20 years. I plan to draw on my experience as a community activist to improve oversight of county operations, ensure that neighborhoods are protected and thrive, and to encourage open government on every level,” Chandler said.

Republican challengers are business owner Patrick Brenner and LANL employee and business owner Jaret McDonald.

Republican Wendy Laird who is the chief operating officer for the Zia group of companies filed for County Clerk. Democrats Naomi Maestas and Amy Woods also filed for the position.

“I’m running because I grew up in Los Alamos and strongly believe in community participation …,” Woods said.

The County Council recently appointed Republican Bill McKerley to fill a vacancy as Los Alamos County Probate judge. He is the only candidate to file Tuesday for the position.

Editor’s Note: Read more about each of the candidates in the coming weeks in the Los Alamos print edition and online at ladailypost.com.

County Clerk candidates Wendy Laird, left, and Naomi Maestas, center, draw cards from Clerk Sharon Stover to determine their position on the June Primary Election ballot. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The Los Alamos County Clerk team, from left, Elections Manager Gloria Maests, Chief Deputy Clerk Adrianna Ortiz, County Clerk Sharon Stover and Senior Deputy Clerk Naomi Maestas. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com