Here's who's filed in the Albuquerque Public Schools board races

They’re off! In the Albuquerque Public Schools board races.

Ten candidates had filed for school board races by the 5 p.m. filing deadline Tuesday, marking the official start of the elections, which will be held Nov. 7.

Seats in three districts are up for grabs: District 1, which largely covers the South Valley; District 2, covering much of Northwest Albuquerque, including Ventana Ranch and Taylor Ranch; and District 4, which includes the International District and much of Nob Hill and Uptown.

By far the most crowded race was for District 2, which has four challengers to the incumbent, board Vice President Peggy Muller-Aragón, although one — District 2 candidate Eric Toledo — told the Journal he plans to withdraw.

Muller-Aragón is the only one of the three current school board members whose terms are coming to an end who is running for reelection.

Board President Yolanda Montoya-Cordova of District 1 and member Barbara Petersen of District 4 have both decided against seeking another term.

“I've just recently retired from work, and so I'm looking to redefine myself in this space at 65,” said Montoya-Cordova, formerly a deputy secretary of the state Department of Workforce Solutions. “I'm very proud of the time that I've been on the board, and so I felt it was a good time to exit.”

“There are some other ways that I want to advocate and contribute to our schools. I've been on the board for nine years, and I have valued every single minute,” Petersen said. “I'm not disappearing.”

Petersen and Muller-Aragón share the title of being the longest-tenured members currently serving on the board. Both have held their seats since 2015, according to the APS website. Montoya-Cordova, the next-most senior member on the board, has been in office since 2018.

The rest of the members — who collectively over the past year and a half or so held the prestige of being APS’ first all-women board — have held office since 2022.

Candidates who filed have until Sept. 5 to withdraw as a candidate. Here's everyone who threw their hats in the ring on Tuesday: