The cards run from where they differ most to where they agree most, and compare how each would do it. Riley answered our questions; we sent Olivas the same questions on Oct. 15. Riley answered two more on Oct. 16, on immigration and property taxes, after the Ledger noted it had not asked him about either.
Eric Olivas
Democrat
County commissioner since 2023; plumbing and landscaping business owner.
Thomas Riley
Republican
Works in financial services with his father. Answered our questions on Oct. 15.
Answered our questions
Where they differ
Data centers
Differ
Olivas
Data centers seeking county money must meet rules on local hiring, water protection and renewable energy
What they said
Riley: âI am against data centers in Bernalillo County.â He says they âdo not bring the promised jobs and they use too much of our precious waterâ. Olivasâs site says: âNew applications for county dollars for data centers will carry rigorous requirements for local hiring, water protection and renewable energy.â
Homelessness
Differ
Olivas
Led a city-county housing initiative that put most of $60 million in state money into units
Riley
âFine and imprison homeless who are abusing a substance. Enforce a ban on panhandling. Stop allowing tents and makeshift structures.â
Source · Answers to the Ledger
What they said
Riley confirmed this line to the Ledger: âFine and imprison homeless who are abusing a substance. Enforce a ban on panhandling. Stop allowing tents and makeshift structures.â His site also says he would fund task force teams and behavioral health and addiction services. Olivasâs site says his BernCo Builds Community initiative leveraged city-county work and over $60 million in state money, with 80% invested in housing units within six months.
Immigration enforcement
Differ
Olivas
Backed a local ordinance protecting schools, clinics and churches; says arrests there need a judicial warrant
Riley
âI want every single illegal gone. I want them sent back home.â
Source · Answers to the Ledger
What they said
Riley told the Ledger: âI want every single illegal gone. I want them sent back home.â He wants âthorough illegal immigration enforcement in this state, county, and district.â Olivas âsupported enactment of the first local ordinance in the state requiring protection of sensitive spaces to all persons regardless of immigration statusâ.
Water
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Olivas âled the charge to enact a new water conservation plan at the countyâ. Rileyâs site lists water security for East Mountain neighborhoods among his priorities and would fund co-ops and infrastructure there.
The jail and the Sheriff's staff
Same goal, different approach
Olivas
Pushed raises for corrections officers and dispatchers and the best Sheriff's pay in the state
Riley
âAre we worried about improving the inmates conditions? I am not. Employees should be paid accordingly and their safety should be the number one priority.â
Source · Answers to the Ledger
What they said
Riley confirmed this line to the Ledger: âAre we worried about improving the inmates conditions? I am not. Employees should be paid accordingly and their safety should be the number one priority.â Olivas âfought for funding to make the Bernalillo County Sheriffâs office the best paid in the stateâ and says big raises went to corrections officers and emergency dispatchers.
Property taxes
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Riley told the Ledger he wants property taxes âlowered. Or preferably, abolished.â Olivas: âEric sponsored and passed the low income property tax rebate.â
Only one has said
Flock
Only Riley
Olivas
Hasnât said â we asked
What they said
Riley: âI want Flock and âlicense plate camerasâ abolished. They have no place in our society.â Olivasâs site credits his funding for high tech force multipliers like drones and cameras at the Sheriffâs Office but does not mention Flock.
What the commission controls
Only Riley
Olivas
Hasnât said â we asked
Riley
âControlling the purse gives us great influence on what happens in the county, including the Sheriffâs department.â
Source · Answers to the Ledger
What they said
Asked what most voters donât know about the office, Riley said: âControlling the purse gives us great influence on what happens in the county, including the Sheriffâs department.â
Campaign money
Only Riley
Olivas
Hasnât said â we asked
Riley
âMy largest donor is the Republican Party of Bernalillo County. I have not raised very much money at all.â
Source · Answers to the Ledger
What they said
Riley: âMy largest donor is the Republican Party of Bernalillo County. I have not raised very much money at all.â The Ledger has not checked this against state filings.
Issue photos: Data centers, stock photo by Brett Sayles · Pexels License; Flock, stock photo by Ilman Muhammad · Pexels License.
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