Candidate for Colfax County Assessor
By Roger M. Rael
The Raton Range
Linda L. Gallegos is seeking a return to the Colfax County Assessor’s Office, where she previously served for eight years.
Raised in Maxwell and a Raton resident for the past 40 years, Gallegos currently serves as chief deputy assessor in Torrance County. She has more than 39 years of public- and private-sector experience, including work at Title Services Inc. and in county assessors’ offices.
The Raton Range provided Gallegos with a written questionnaire and conducted a follow-up interview about her experience, leadership and plans for the office. Her responses have been edited for length and clarity without changing their meaning.
1. What unfinished business is bringing you back?
I initially planned to retire when my current position ends this year. When people in Raton and throughout Colfax County learned I would be returning permanently, they encouraged me to run for assessor again.
I decided I was not ready to take the knowledge and experience I have gained and simply ride off into the sunset. By the end of this year, I will have nearly 16 years of experience in assessors’ offices, along with more than 23 years at Title Services.
I believe that experience and my knowledge of Colfax County can benefit taxpayers, the assessor’s office and county government as a whole.
2. What qualifications do you bring to the office?
I previously served eight years as Colfax County assessor and approximately 2½ years as chief deputy assessor. I have also served more than five years as Torrance County’s chief deputy assessor.
I am a New Mexico state-certified appraiser, which required completing and passing International Association of Assessing Officers Courses I through IV.
I also hold certifications through the New Mexico EDGE program as a certified public official, certified public supervisor, certified public assessment officer and certified advocate in public ethics.
From 2018 through 2023, I served as chairperson of the New Mexico Counties Assessors’ Affiliate. Assessors representing all 33 counties elected me to three terms. I represented assessors before legislators, legislative committees, lobbyists and other stakeholders.
3. You have emphasized rebuilding trust. What do you believe damaged it?
Several employees I hired and who served on my staff later left the Colfax County Assessor’s Office.
Based on what those former employees told me, their decisions were not simply about salaries. They raised concerns involving administration and leadership.
I care deeply about that office, its employees and the taxpayers it serves. I believe I can return and make a difference by restoring stability, supporting employees and ensuring taxpayers feel that their questions are heard.
Property valuation should not feel like a mystery. Residents deserve to understand how their values are determined and what options are available when they disagree.
4. How would you ensure everyone is treated fairly?
A person’s wealth, political connections, social position or the size of their property should never determine how that person is treated.
Assessments must be fair, equitable, current and correct. One group of taxpayers should not be forced to carry an unfair share of the burden.
I have advocated for veterans and helped people who are 65 or older, as well as people with disabilities, obtain tax benefits for which they qualify. Every taxpayer deserves accurate information, equal treatment and respect.
5. What should property owners do if they believe their valuation is wrong?
They should contact the assessor’s office and ask questions. Taxpayers have an absolute right to question an assessment.
Government employees are human, and mistakes can happen. It could be a data-entry error, inaccurate property information, a software problem or information used during a market study that needs to be reviewed.
My office would listen, review the notice of value, examine the property account and compare current information with previous years. We would determine whether the change resulted from an improvement, reappraisal, mill-rate change or another factor.
The office should never begin with the attitude that government is automatically right. It should begin by listening and examining the facts.
Taxpayers may also protest—or formally dispute—their valuation each year. If the disagreement cannot be resolved, the case can be presented to an independent protest board.
In Torrance County, we received close to 300 protests this year. After meeting with taxpayers and reviewing their information, only two cases required a formal hearing.
6. What leadership style would you bring to the office?
There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss.
Good leadership begins with listening, training employees and setting high standards for customer service. Employees should demonstrate empathy and never act as though they are superior to the people they serve.
If a mistake has been made, the office should do everything permitted by law to correct it. Staff members must also receive the education and professional training necessary to perform their duties correctly.
I want to lead employees toward professionalism, knowledge, fairness and respectful public service.
7. What separates you from your opponent, Joseph Martinez Jr.?
I hired Joseph approximately 14 years ago, helped train him and placed him in the chief appraiser position because I believed he understood the work. When he later became chief deputy, I congratulated him. A good leader prepares employees to advance.
The difference between us is the depth of my experience and leadership background. I served eight years as the elected Colfax County assessor, worked as chief deputy in two counties and represented assessors from all 33 New Mexico counties at the state level.
My fellow assessors elected me to lead their statewide affiliate three times. I have represented assessors and Colfax County before legislators, committees, lobbyists and other stakeholders.
I trained Joseph, but my own experience extends beyond the county office to leadership and advocacy at the state level. I am confident in my abilities and believe I am the better-qualified candidate for Colfax County assessor.
8. What should voters remember when they enter the polling place?
First, I know how to do the job. I understand the statutes, policies, procedures and daily operations of an assessor’s office.
Second, I have proven leadership skills. I want to lead the office, not simply boss employees.
I am honest, professional and committed to Colfax County. I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.
Public trust matters. Fairness matters. Transparency matters. Leadership matters. I encourage everyone to participate, vote and make their voices heard—especially in local elections.
