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, and even one candidate arrested on stalking charges. The final list of qualified candidates for office follows:
Countywide Offices 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.
State Representative District 6
The Democratic field includes incumbent Martha Garcia who was appointed to the position but now seeks full election. The field includes Cibola County Magistrate Judge Johnny Valdez. Most controversially, David L. Alcon, recently arrested on stalking charges by the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office, is the son of the former incumbent and running for this office.
Republicans only have one contender on the ballot for June. Paul L. Spencer is on the ballot and will advance to November’s General Election.
State Representative District 69
In the Democrat field, incumbent Michelle Pauline Abeyta of To’hajiilee seeks re-election. Grants resident Harry Garcia is contesting her in the June election, Garcia held this seat until vacating it in 2024 to seek nomination to House District 6 despite not living there.
There is no Republican candidate.
Judicial Races 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 who has held this post in the past; and Marie Martinez-Garcia who was the last official elected to this office but resigned the post.
There is no republican candidate.
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.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
While these offices have the most local impact on Cibola County’s ballots, New Mexicans are also electing a new Lands Commissioner, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and other very important positions.
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.