A Bosque Farms realtor was selected by the Valencia County Commission last week to fill the remainder of the Valencia County probate judge’s term.
Republican Wendy Wallace, a realtor for 15 years who has worked for The Wallace Group in the village of Bosque Farms since 2007, said she was appreciative of the opportunity given to her.
Valencia County Probate Judge Wendy Wallace
Newly appointed
“It’s very exciting. This is my opportunity to help my community and give back to residents,” Wallace said. “Working in real estate, a lot of sellers inherit property due to the passing of a loved one. I help my real estate clients on one level … by directing them where to go, who to talk to and what forms they need.
“I am very appreciative of this opportunity to learn more about this position and I hope I get to retain it.”
From 1995 to 1998, Wallace worked as an administrative assistant for the Ninth and First Judicial District Attorney’s offices. She has been a member of the Middle Rio Grande Economic Team since 2017, and served on the Bosque Farms Fair and Bosque Farms Rodeo Association boards.
Wallace was one of nine county residents who submitted a letter of interest to fill the probate judge position, of which she and four others are already primary candidates for the seat.
Her appointment is only until the end of the year, when the probate judge’s term was set to end already.
Even though she was appointed to the seat now, Wallace will still have to make it through the June primary and then November’s general election to have a shot at holding the position for four years.
In the primary race, she will face fellow Republicans Jennifer Jaramillo, a secretary and first-call driver at Romero Funeral Home in Belen, and Cynthia Runyon, who works in marketing and is a school administrator.
On the Democrat ticket are Sharalaina Piro-Rael and Helen Saiz.
Piro-Rael, 32, is the owner of a local music store and music teacher.
Saiz, 52, is retired from the New Mexico Department of Health. Formerly Helen Cole, Saiz retired from Valencia County after 19 years, and served one term on the county commission.
The probate judge position became vacant earlier this month after Judge Jamie Goldberg was selected to fill the vacant Valencia County Magistrate Division III seat.
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.
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April 18, 2024
