There will most likely be a bit of a shake-up on Bosque Farms Village Council as preliminary numbers from Tuesday’s election show the incumbent finishing third in the race for two open seats.
Councilor William Kennedy took 136 votes, 15 behind Michael Cheromiah, who received 151 votes. Tim Baughman received the most votes with 229.
The open seats this year were Kennedy’s and Rick Goshorn’s, who did not run for reelection. Kennedy was first elected to the council in March 2006 and has held the seat continuously until this year.
“I want to thank all the voters for believing in me and giving me a chance to work for the village,” Kennedy said. “It has been very nice serving the village of Bosque Farms.”
Before being elected to the council, Kennedy served on the village’s planning and zoning commission for three years. He is retired from selling heavy equipment parts and service, and has a BBA in business.
Michael S. Cheromiah
This race was Baughman’s first time running for public office.
“I want to thank you all for getting out to vote, for participating in the election,” Baughman said. “I appreciate the support.”
Baughman retired as a major from the New Mexico State Police in 2008, after 27 years of service.
He is a private contractor, owning and operating his own business as a law enforcement liaison for Safer New Mexico Now, a New Mexico Department of Transportation contractor, which oversees and assists with traffic safety grants for the NMDOT.
Tim Baughman
Cheromiah said he was surprised with his win but is excited to serve Bosque Farms.
“I hope to do the best I can and I want to thank those who voted for me,” Cheromiah said.
He ran for the Bosque Farms municipal judge position in 2020 unsuccessfully, but is the alternate judge for the village.
Cheromiah earned a bachelor of arts in psychology and religious studies from The University of New Mexico in 2018. He is currently studying at Cairn University, pursuing a master’s degree in education.
The results from Tuesday’s election are still unofficial and will be canvassed by the Valencia County Commission at a special meeting at 12:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 9.
On election day, there were 151 ballots cast and 128 total cast during early and absentee voting. With 3,096 registered voters in the village, turnout was at 9 percent.
A swearing in of the winning candidates is planned for Friday, April 1.
Julia M. Dendinger began working at the VCNB in 2006. She covers Valencia County government, Belen Consolidated Schools and the village of Bosque Farms. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists Rio Grande chapter’s board of directors.
