CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – With the June 2 primary election approaching the 2026 Cibola County ballot has been a soap opera, with candidates being disqualified or withdrawing from contention. The final list of qualified candidates for office follows:
In State Representative District 6, Republican Paul L. Spencer is on the ballot and will advance to November’s General Election. The Democratic field includes incumbent Martha Garcia who was appointed to the position but now seeks full election, David L. Alcon the son of the former incumbent, and magistrate judge Johnny Valdez.
In State Representative District 69, there is no Republican candidate. In the Democrat field, incumbent Michelle Pauline Abeyra of Tohajiilee seeks re-election, Grants resident Harry Garcia is contesting her in the June election.
For Cibola County Magistrate Judge Division 1, there is only one candidate, incumbent Democrat Tony L. Mace is running.
In Magistrate Judge Division 2, the candidates include Democrats Jessica M. Melonas, Michael Chris Cavin, and Dominic John Pargas. One contender is on the Republican ballot, Robert Scott Windhorst, who will contest the winner of the democrat ticket.
In Cibola County Commission District 1, the Democrats have three contenders: Marty R. Molina, Richard Allen Cerno, and Robert J. Armijo are running. There is no Republican contender.
In Cibola County Commission District 3, the Democrat field is packed: Michael W. Lewis, Stanley E. Michael, George Rodriguez, Robert Francis Horacek, and Martin M. Vigil seek nomination to November/s ballot. The Republican ticket is smaller, with only current Grants Mayor Erik Omar Garcia running, meaning he will advance to November and face the democrat winner.
For Cibola County Sheriff, incumbent Democrat Larry D. Diaz stands alone, he and Republican Aaron Henry Baca will face off in November.
For Cibola County Assessor, Democrat Jenna M. Rodriguez is the only candidate on the ballot.
For Cibola County Probate Judge, the Democrat field includes incumbent Josephine E. Hurtado who was appointed to this office after the resignation of the last probate judge, Corrine C. Padilla, and Marie Martinez-Garcia who was the last official elected to this office but resigned the post.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters are encouraged to confirm their registration and address on files - especially those in commission districts as only candidates who live in your district will be on your ballot – through the Cibola County Clerk’s Office or the state voter information portal at NMVote.org.