Tommy Black launches City Council campaign with focus on youth, veterans and community trust

The longtime Las Cruces radio host says District 6 needs more responsive leadership and programs that meet people where they are

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - With a signature mix of energy and resolve, Tommy Black, a well-known voice in Las Cruces media and community spaces, has launched his campaign for the District 6 seat on the Las Cruces City Council. A military veteran and former co-host of Hot 103's popular "5 O'Clock Hoo-Ride," Black is positioning himself as a candidate grounded in lived experience and committed to meeting residents where they are.

In a wide-ranging, hour-long conversation following his formal campaign announcement, Black outlined a platform shaped by deep frustration, a desire for action and what he describes as a failure of current leadership to remain visible and accessible to constituents.

"I didn’t see anybody stepping up, so I said, 'I guess it’s me,'" Black said. "It wasn’t some big political strategy. I just kept hearing people say, 'Where are our leaders?' And I couldn’t answer that."

Platform priorities: Youth support, veteran outreach, community safety

Black's platform centers on three primary issues: expanding access to youth programs, addressing the needs of local veterans and restoring a sense of public safety and responsiveness across the district.

"Not every kid is an athlete," Black said. "But every kid needs something to belong to, something that pushes them forward. We need city-backed programs that give them options — music, dance, trades, whatever it is. We’re leaving too many of them behind."

He said schools and nonprofits are trying to fill the gap, but lack resources and city coordination. As a councilor, Black said he would advocate for additional youth funding in the city budget and push to expand after-school and summer programming.

Black also spoke at length about the struggles many veterans face when returning to civilian life. As a veteran himself, he said the issue is personal.

"We’ve got vets sleeping in their cars. We’ve got vets getting written off because their trauma makes people uncomfortable," he said. "That’s not a federal problem — that’s a local responsibility, too."

Black said the city should work more directly with the VA, nonprofits and housing agencies to create targeted programs for veterans dealing with homelessness, mental health challenges and employment barriers.

On public safety, Black said he hears from small business owners who feel forgotten.

"These folks are getting hit with break-ins, theft, vandalism. Some of them don’t even bother reporting it anymore because they don’t think anyone will respond."

He said he doesn’t want to see an over-policing approach but believes the city must be more present and engaged with local businesses.

"It’s not just about cops. It’s about accountability, about showing up, about checking in."

Accessibility and trust: 'You won’t have to find me'

Black emphasized that his campaign will be rooted in direct community engagement. He plans to knock doors, host block parties and register voters face-to-face.

"I’m not trying to be a keyboard warrior," he said. "I’m trying to show up."

He believes many residents have tuned out local politics because they don’t feel seen or heard by city leaders. He wants to change that.

"You won’t have to find me," Black said. "I’ll be at your church. I’ll be at your kid’s game. I’ll be in the neighborhood. That’s what representation looks like."

While he acknowledged he’s not a traditional candidate, Black said that’s part of his appeal. He believes people are hungry for authenticity and action, not rehearsed soundbites.

"This isn’t about being polished. It’s about being real. We’ve got too many people talking in circles and not enough people doing the work. I’m not perfect, but I’m present."

District identity and campaign tone

Black lives near Organ Mountain High School and said he’s proud to call District 6 home. He emphasized that his campaign won’t attack others or traffic in negativity.

"I’m not going to run anyone down. That’s not my style," he said. "I’m just going to talk about what I see and what I think we can do better. And I’m going to listen — that’s the most important part."

Election timeline

The Las Cruces municipal election is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025. City Council races are officially nonpartisan. The District 6 seat is currently held by Councilor Yvonne Flores.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.