The deadline to file as a candidate in Santa Fe County races is still more than a month away, but a handful of hopefuls have already announced their bids to seek elected positions.

Incumbent County Commissioners Kathy Holian, who represents District 4, and Liz Stefanics, who represents District 5, both have announced they will seek a second term. As of Tuesday, no one had announced a challenge to either woman.

Holian has said she wants to continue work on land-use issues she has started at the county, as well as work on renewable energy and economic development. She also supports a ban on animal trapping.

Stefancis has issued statements expressing her desire to "share with the public the inner workings of government," via transparency efforts and meeting one on one with constituents.

Two people -- former City Councilor Miguel Chavez and attorney Maria DeAnda Hay -- are vying for the seat that will be vacated by District 2 Commissioner Virginia Vigil, who cannot seek re-election due to term limitations.

Chavez has served on the City Council for the last 12 years but lost his ability to run in the same district again after the redrawing of city district boundaries.

Chavez lists "planning for growth, stewardship of natural, cultural and historic resources and open and honest government" as priorities in his campaign literature.

DeAnda Hay, current chairwoman of the county Development Review Committee, has worked as a legislative analyst and sold New Mexico-made food products.

She lists job creation and support for small businesses, agricultural development and renewable-energy projects as areas she will focus on if she is elected.

County commissioners are paid about $29,500 per year.

The most competitive county race this year could be the one to replace outgoing County Clerk Valerie Espinoza, who can't run again due to term limits and is seeking a post on the state Public Regulation Commission. Three candidates have filed to campaign for the $65,500-per-year position: Geraldine Salazar, Tara Lujan and Letitia Montoya.

Salazar and Montoya have faced off before, as candidates for a state Senate seat in 2004. Both lost to former state Sen. Roman Maes.

For the last four years, Salazar has been an employee of the County Clerk's Office, where her duties include coordinating public information and dealing with records requests. In the past, she worked as a division director for the state Department of Health, were she oversaw an $18 million budget, according to a written statement she provided. She also was a volunteer coordinator at the Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center -- now called Solace Crisis Treatment Center -- work for which she was recognized as one of The New Mexican's 10 Who Made A Difference in 1991.

Montoya, co-owner of a financial-services company, is a familiar face in state political circles.

She has run unsuccessfully for elected office four times -- twice for New Mexico secretary of state and twice for a state Senate seat.

According to her campaign announcement, improving voter turnout (perhaps by implementing a mobile voting van), upgrading the computer systems in the County Clerk's Office and educating voters will be some of Montoya's priorities, if she is elected.

Tara Lujan is working as a "personal attendant to Senator Howie Morales" and Sergeant-at-Arms in the current legislative session. Her mother, Elizabeth "Dolly" Lujan, is running for the District 2 seat on the Santa Fe City Council.

Tara Lujan has experience as a medical assistant, and she has volunteered with new mothers, schools and as a census worker. She says her long-terms goals are "to gain more experience as a management professional and have a fulfilling career as a fair and focused leader."

Only one person -- longtime county employee Oliver Garcia -- has indicated a desire to campaign for the seat being vacated by County Treasurer Victor Montoya, who cannot run again due to term limits.

Garcia -- who worked in the county land-use department for 18 years -- was tapped by Montoya for the job of deputy treasurer last year. He said in a written statement Tuesday that his campaign objectives include serving his constituents with "experience, honesty, integrity and reliability," making timely distribution of funds to entities supported by tax proceeds, and ensuring the "accuracy and safety of county funds."

The deadline to file as a candidate for a county office is March 20.

The primary election -- where county races are often decided for lack of any Republican opposition -- is June 5.

Contact Phaedra Haywood at 986-3068 or phaywood@sfnewmexican.com.