Doña Ana county commissioner resigns

LAS CRUCES – Doña Ana County Commissioner Shannon Reynolds is resigning from the elected position he has held for seven years. 

Late in his second term in office, Reynolds emailed a letter of resignation on Dec. 9 to Commissioner Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez, the commission chair, as well as the county’s attorney; County Clerk Amanda López Askin and her chief deputy, Caroline Zamora; and County Manager Scott Andrews.

Due to the timing of Reynolds’ resignation, a county spokesperson said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will appoint a successor to finish his term, which concludes at the end of 2026. 

The email is mum as to his motivation, stating that his resignation would take effect on Dec. 28 and commenting, “I have enjoyed my seven years of service and wish to pursue other opportunities next year.” 

Reached by the Journal, Reynolds did not disclose the reason for his resignation or the timing, but emphasized it was not health-related. 

“It’s not for any kind of medical reason or for family reasons,” Reynolds told the Journal. “It’s actually about trying to get in a position that can help the county more, and the people more.” He did not detail any professional or political plans for 2026. 

In 2018, Reynolds, a Democrat, succeeded in his second run for local office when he was elected to the commission, unseating Republican incumbent Ben Rawson. He was elected to a second term in 2022 by a margin of 10 percentage points and is departing a year before that term ends. 

Previously, per his county biography,  he had been a city council member in Milford, Ohio, during the 2000s. His professional background included a degree in engineering and a stint in the U.S. Air Force, and a varied career including industry management and training as well as education, including two years managing a foreign exchange student program for a Cincinnati Public School prior to settling in Las Cruces.

"Our understanding is the commission will submit names to the governor," Zamora told the Journal about the succession process. "The governor will conduct interviews and make the final selection."

Reynolds told the Journal he would have more to say about his future plans after his resignation takes effect.

“I would like to thank the citizens who have elected and supported me,” Reynolds wrote in his resignation letter, “and I will work to continue to be available to them if there is anything I can do.”