Former bank executive appointed to replace former county commissioner

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez has appointed Kim Hakes, former senior vice president of Citizens Bank of Las Cruces, as the replacement for County Commissioner John Vasquez.

The 67-year-old Hakes, a Republican who ran against Vasquez in the previous election, will represent District 5 through the next general election.

Hakes retired from Citizens Bank in 2015. He is also a veteran of the United States Army. A graduate of Brigham Young University, Hakes also earned a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

Vasquez resigned last month following allegations of sexual misconduct.

ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom obtained Vasquez’s resignation letter to Chairman Benjamin Rawson. The letter dismissed the allegations of sexual misconduct made by Neomi Martinez-Parra, the Democratic Party Vice Chair for New Mexico.

Vasquez called the claims “completely unsubstantiated,” further stating, “she has ruined my career, my name, and hurt my marriage over allegations for which she has refused to provide any basis.”