Pueblo elects new tribal leaders

San Ildefonso men elect Leon T. Roybal for governor

David Collins | The New Mexican

2/23/2008 - 2/24/08

San Ildefonso Pueblo officials announced results of a Saturday election to replace an appointed governor who had declined to schedule an election traditionally held in December.

During 12 hours of polling, San Ildefonso men elected Leon T. Roybal as governor. Paul Rainbird is set to become first lieutenant governor, with each serving a two-year term, according to a statement sent late Saturday to news media.

The election followed a controversy that divided a traditional religious group and led several members of the pueblo's South Kiva to join members of the North Kiva to oust Gov. Martin W. Aguilar Jr.

Pueblo members on Tuesday voted to renounce Aguilar's actions as governor since Dec. 31, to lock him out of the tribal government office and indefinitely bar him and three other pueblo members from participating in tribal government.

According to tribal councilman Terrance Garcia, members alleged Aguilar neglected tribal programs, fired key staff and refused to schedule elections. Aguilar could not immediately be reached for comment.

Aguilar had served as governor since former Gov. James Mountain was arrested in Albuquerque on a rape charge in October. That charge was dropped pending further investigation, but Mountain could be re-charged.

Garcia said Roybal was the North Kiva's candidate for governor. Rainbird said he is a member of the South Kiva who, along with some others, has not returned to his traditional Kiva since a confrontation with other members there in the spring of 2006.

The pueblo plans to install the newly elected officers Tuesday, the announcement said. Erik Fender has served as acting governor since Tuesday.

Rainbird at the Tuesday meeting had proposed allowing San Ildefonso women to vote for pueblo leaders. The Tribal Council at that meeting adopted a resolution calling for a new government agreement to be drafted by July that would allow women to vote in pueblo elections.

Contact David Collins at 986-3064 or dcollins@sfnewmexican.com.