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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — “Breaking Bad” actor Steven Michael Quezada survived a harsh campaign to seize a critical seat on the County Commission late Tuesday — one of three Democrats who swept the contested races for Bernalillo County office, according to partial, unofficial returns.

Nancy Bearce, a neighborhood leader from the International District, won the treasurer’s race, and Linda Stover, a businesswoman, claimed the clerk’s office.

All three are newcomers to Bernalillo County government. Quezada is finishing up a term on the Albuquerque school board, and Stover served on the metropolitan flood-control board in the 1990s. Bearce hasn’t held an elected office before.

“I’m just grateful for the people who stood behind me throughout this campaign,” Quezada said. “It was brutal.”

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Bernalillo County voters also approved $36 million in bonds to fund road construction and other projects, and they adopted a home-rule charter that grants the county government expanded powers, on par with a municipality.

Voters within city limits, meanwhile, overwhelmingly said they support scheduling a future election on the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project. The results, however, aren’t binding, and construction of the project is already underway.

County Commission

Quezada defeated Republican Patricia Paiz, a retired police officer, to win the County Commission seat that covers the South Valley and Southwest Mesa.

It was a particularly harsh race. Opponents of Quezada reminded voters that he’d been arrested for drunken driving three times, most recently in 2002.

Quezada acknowledged the DWI charges in a Journal questionnaire and said: “I am not that guy anymore and I thank my wife and children for changing my life.”

Quezada will replace Democrat Art De La Cruz, who was a swing vote of sorts on the commission, where Democrats hold a 3-2 edge.

Two incumbents — Democrat Maggie Hart Stebbins and Republican Lonnie Talbert — won re-election unopposed.

Clerk

The county clerk’s race featured two women who touted their experience running businesses — Stover, a Democrat, and Maryellen Ortega-Saenz, a Republican.

Stover will succeed County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver, also a Democrat, who won the race for New Mexico secretary of state.

“It’s a dream come true,” Stover said Tuesday.

Treasurer

Bearce defeated Republican Kim Hillard to win the treasurer’s race. She will seek to restore confidence in an office rocked by investments losses.

Bearce defeated incumbent Treasurer Manny Ortiz in a four-way race in the June primary.

“I’m looking forward to really making sure that processes and investments are transparent and accountable to the people of Bernalillo County,” Bearce said.

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City voters resoundingly called for a future election on the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project. The outcome is largely symbolic, however, as the results aren’t binding and construction began last month.

Mayor Richard Berry was undeterred. “With contracts and federal commitments in place and construction activities in full swing,” mayoral spokeswoman Rhiannon Samuel said, “it does not make sense to do anything but move forward with this transformational opportunity for the future of our city.”

Bonds

Bernalillo County voters approved about $36 million in bonds to finance road construction, parks, the purchase of library materials and other capital projects. The package includes $1.5 million to build a county animal shelter for homeless pets — the last piece of funding needed for the project.

Urban charter

Voters adopted a home-rule charter that grants Bernalillo County government the same power as a municipality. Supporters say the charter gives the county more flexibility to address local problems.