In a landmark moment for Alamogordo, Sharon McDonald has been elected mayor, securing 40% of the vote in a tightly contested race that drew over 4,321 ballots, a record numbet for a local municipal election. Her victory marks a historic shift in city leadership and affirms a grassroots campaign built on integrity, infrastructure renewal, and compassion for the community’s most vulnerable. Mayor Elect Sharon McDonald makes history as only the 3rd female mayor out of 36 predecessors and the first person of color ever to hold the senior office for the city of Alamogordo, Otero County, New Mexico.
McDonald, an Alamogordo native and District 5 City Commissioner for 6 years, has served as Mayor Pro-Tem since January 2024. Her campaign slogan—“Making Alamogordo great one block at a time”—resonated with voters seeking tangible improvements in roads, parks, and water infrastructure. At the Alamogordo Daily News Candidate Forum, she emphasized honesty and quoted Nelson Mandela, urging residents to show compassion for unhoused neighbors and to build a city rooted in dignity and care among the many other wise words shared.
The race was closely watched, with Jason R. Baldwin trailing McDonald by just 4 percentage points as the closest of the 4 competitors. Baldwin, a longtime city commissioner and PGA golf professional, ran on a platform of transparency and support for working families and veterans.
McDonald’s win was not only political—it was deeply personal and communal. On election night, more than 120 supporters flowed through Infinity Sweets in the Alamogordo MainStreet district, transforming the bakery into a jubilant hub of celebration. The scent of fresh pastries mingled with laughter and tears as residents toasted the new mayor with locally catered foods, and heartfelt stories.
Comments from Mayor-Elect McDonald concerning the race can be heard on the streaming edition of Alamogordo Town News on KALHRadio.org or via the link below to the excerpt…
Comments from outgoing Mayor Susan Payne to Sharon McDonald…
Photos from the evening show McDonald sharing moments with campaign volunteers who helped turn vision into victory.
Infinity Sweets, known for its cozy charm and community spirit, became the perfect setting for a celebration that felt more like a family reunion than a political event. “This is what Alamogordo looks like when we believe in each other,” one attendee said, holding a churro from Rizos in one hand and a campaign literature in the other.
As McDonald prepares to take office, her supporters are already looking ahead. “We didn’t just elect a mayor,” said one longtime resident. “We chose a future.”
More News from Alamogordo
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