Thomas Dewitt
Challenger Thomas Dewitt is running for Portales City Council Ward C in Portales, New Mexico. The election was held on November 4, 2025.
My name is Thomas "Tom" DeWitt, and I am running for Portales City Council, Ward C.
I moved to Portales about 22 years ago, after living in Clovis since 1987. Originally from Florida, where I was born and raised, I came to New Mexico, fell in love with the state, the culture, and the community. I quickly knew this was a place I wanted to call home.
In 2004, I met my wife, Sherri and we were married in 2005. We have built a strong blended family, and together we have five children and now enjoying the blessings of four grandchildren.
In 2008, my father-in -law asked me to come to work for him and to eventually take over the family business that he had started in 1972 here in Portales. For more than a decade we worked hard to keep that business thriving through good times and bad. When COVID restrictions and skyrocketing car prices hit in 2020, we refused to give up. Instead, I diversified into marine and RV sales and repair – a move that helped us stay strong and continue serving our community.
My involvement in local issues began many years ago with the building of the old skate park. This was a project that my stepson was passionate about and, wanting to support him, we happily became involved in advocating for the building of the skate park for the young people of Portales and the surrounding communities. Since then, I’ve spoken out against closing the Portales Recreation Center, fought the proposed 30% increase in water rates, and voiced concerns during implementation of the Stage 3 water restrictions of 2023. These experiences gave me a clear view of the challenges we face; a very real water crisis, made worse by aging infrastructure and, at times, city management overreach.
Because of my passion for these issues, I was asked to serve on both the Water Advisory Committee and the Public Works Committee, where I’ve volunteered for the past two years. These roles have allowed me to see firsthand how our city operates – and how much better we can do with responsible leadership, common-sense planning, and accountability to the people we serve.
I’m running for City Council because I believe it’s time for some fresh ideas and an action minded council. Portales deserves leadership that listens, adapts, and puts families and community first.
I moved to Portales about 22 years ago, after living in Clovis since 1987. Originally from Florida, where I was born and raised, I came to New Mexico, fell in love with the state, the culture, and the community. I quickly knew this was a place I wanted to call home.
In 2004, I met my wife, Sherri and we were married in 2005. We have built a strong blended family, and together we have five children and now enjoying the blessings of four grandchildren.
In 2008, my father-in -law asked me to come to work for him and to eventually take over the family business that he had started in 1972 here in Portales. For more than a decade we worked hard to keep that business thriving through good times and bad. When COVID restrictions and skyrocketing car prices hit in 2020, we refused to give up. Instead, I diversified into marine and RV sales and repair – a move that helped us stay strong and continue serving our community.
My involvement in local issues began many years ago with the building of the old skate park. This was a project that my stepson was passionate about and, wanting to support him, we happily became involved in advocating for the building of the skate park for the young people of Portales and the surrounding communities. Since then, I’ve spoken out against closing the Portales Recreation Center, fought the proposed 30% increase in water rates, and voiced concerns during implementation of the Stage 3 water restrictions of 2023. These experiences gave me a clear view of the challenges we face; a very real water crisis, made worse by aging infrastructure and, at times, city management overreach.
Because of my passion for these issues, I was asked to serve on both the Water Advisory Committee and the Public Works Committee, where I’ve volunteered for the past two years. These roles have allowed me to see firsthand how our city operates – and how much better we can do with responsible leadership, common-sense planning, and accountability to the people we serve.
I’m running for City Council because I believe it’s time for some fresh ideas and an action minded council. Portales deserves leadership that listens, adapts, and puts families and community first.
