The cards run from where they differ most to where they agree most, and compare how each would do it. Maine has no campaign website, so most cards draw on both candidates’ answers in the League of Women Voters’ VOTE411 guide. We sent both candidates our questions on Oct. 15; until they answer, every card is from public statements.
Linda Stover
Democrat
Former two-term Bernalillo County Clerk; now the county's deputy treasurer.
Michael Maine
Republican
Says he has 40 years in business management and owns rental properties. No campaign website.
Where they differ
Fixing accuracy in the office
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Stover: “Valuations should be based on reliable data, consistent methods, and real market conditions.” Maine: “I will uncover the root causes of recent tax mistakes arising from the current administration, instituting measures to check for inconsistencies to reduce conflicts between the public and local government.” The Ledger has not verified the mistakes Maine describes.
Staff and training
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Stover: “Hire and train appraisers that are qualified to do the job.” Maine says his experience equips him “to uncover lapses in employee support mechanisms” and then to streamline processes. The VOTE411 page does not label which answer goes with which question; the Ledger matched them in order.
Where they agree
Transparency
Agree on goals, no plan
What they said
Stover: “Property owners deserve clear explanations about how values are determined and why changes occur.” Maine’s answer promises “efficiency, accuracy, and transparency” without saying what he would change.
Only one has said
Property tax levels
Only Stover
Stover
Would be reasonable with minimum state requirements so property taxes don't skyrocket
Source · VOTE411 answer
Maine
Hasn’t said — we asked
What they said
Stover: “I want to keep Bernalillo County locally owned by working with property owners and being reasonable with minimum state requirements so property taxes don’t sky rockets.” Maine’s answers name no position on tax levels. The Assessor values property; the tax rates are set elsewhere, so this is a statement about how she would apply state rules.
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