Lone incumbent Larry Irvin is hoping to be elected to his third four-year term. Irvin's family homesteaded to the city and remained there ever since, he said.

Irvin said he's had to make some very difficult decisions while on the council, some that went against his personal opinion, but always does what he believes is best for Moriarty.

"I truly feel every decision I make is for the people of Moriarty," he said. "I'm there to move Moriarty forward in all aspects."

He believes his experience as a small business owner is a benefit to the city, also his work ethic.

The most important issues Irvin sees in the city are bringing gross receipts back into the area, and doing that by working with planning and zoning to find avenues for new businesses to come in, and also looking at tax incentives for those businesses.

Other priorities are activities for young people and public safety, bringing in additional resources for the police and fire departments.

"They are doing an excellent job with what resources they have, but some how we need to expand those resources," he said.

A former city councilor is also hoping to be elected. Dennis Shanfeldt, who served on the council from 1996 to 2004, said if elected, his priority also will be the economy.

"Because of the recession, like most cities, the city is low on money," Shanfeldt said. "We need to solve that problem and do it without having to lay anybody off."

He said both his professional and government experience would benefit the city.

"Most of my background is related in one way or the another to the city entities. I've been there for two four-year terms, which gives me the experience of the city itself. I've been there before and I'm willing to do a good job again."

The other two candidates are Kimberly Garcia and Arthur Page.

Garcia is a familiar face for those who bank at First Community Bank.

She said the important issues facing Moriarty are jobs, attracting and retaining business both big and small, public safety and city roads.

"I hope to address these issues as well as the issues that the citizens inform me are important to them by working hard, listening to voters and working together to ultimately do what is in the best interest of the city of Moriarty," she said.

Traits such as honestly, hard work and loyalty are what she sees as what she can bring to the council.

"I am also someone who always tries to find the positive in every situation," she said. "While I am not a politician or business owner, I have always worked hard and excelled in all I do. I believe we need people from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise to provide input on the decisions affecting our community."

Page is a retired New Mexico State Police lieutenant.

"I'm a retired public servant and I want to continue to be a public servant," he said.

Page said he can spend time serving the citizens.

"If elected, I'll be a 7-day, 24-hour councilor," he said.

His priorities are putting people back to work, maintaining roads and public safety.

Page supervised many police officers in his career and was in charge of managing budgets.

"I believe this economy is a concern for everyone," he said. "I think that's one of the things the mayor and the councilors are gong to have to be cognizant of and right on top of."