My name is Zachary Darden. Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Rio Rancho has been my home since 2010. Over the years, I have put down deep roots—through local sports, community traditions like our annual Christmas festival, and a genuine love for the land and the people who make this city special. Rio Rancho is a city of opportunity, and I am running for mayor to ensure that opportunity reaches every resident. My vision is a united, inclusive city where people of all backgrounds and political beliefs work together to move our community forward.

Through my experience as a park ranger in Albuquerque and a resource specialist for Bernalillo County, I have learned the importance of protecting our environment while delivering effective, accountable governance. Government should work for the people it serves—not the other way around. As both a former teacher and healthcare provider, I have seen firsthand how education and healthcare are deeply connected. Strong communities depend on access to both, and when families are healthy and well-educated, our city thrives.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geography with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Indiana University. My professional work with the U.S. Forest Service and as a GIS specialist for Sites Southwest, a sustainability-focused firm, has allowed me to contribute to infrastructure planning efforts, including improvements to roads and public transit here in Rio Rancho.

Coming from a proud military family—with a father who is a Marine veteran and a grandfather who served in Vietnam—I am deeply committed to supporting our veterans and first responders. They deserve our respect, our gratitude, and policies that ensure they receive the care and resources they have earned.