CIBOLA COUNTY, NM – The first campaign finance reports of the 2026 election cycle are beginning to sketch the shape of Cibola County’s local races, showing a mix of quiet campaigns, modest early fundraising and a handful of contests where larger sums are already setting candidates apart.
For local voters, the early reports do not decide who will win in June or November. They do, however, offer one of the first measurable signs of which campaigns are organized, where candidates are relying on self-funding or support from close allies, and which races may become the county’s most closely watched contests in the months ahead.
Cibola County Commission
In Cibola County Commission District 1, the Democratic primary remains financially quiet, at least in the first reports.
Marty R. Molina, Richard Cerno and Robert Julian Armijo Jr. are all listed in the race as Democrats, though no contributions or expenditures were reported in the figures reviewed for Cerno or Armijo. Molina was listed as active but not compliant, with no totals reported.
There is no Republican candidate in that race.
Cibola County Commission District 3 shows more movement.
On the Democrat side, Martin M. Vigil reported $1,150 in total contributions, $58.35 in expenditures, $650 in debt and $1,091.65 in cash on hand.
George Rodriguez reported $400 in contributions and $400 cash on hand.
Stanley E. Michael reported $55.52 in contributions, $28.62 in expenditures and $26.90 in cash on hand.
Robert Francis Horacek showed no contributions or expenditures reported.
On the Republican side, Grants Mayor Erik Garcia is the only candidate listed, with no contributions or expenditures reported in the figures reviewed.
Cibola County Sheriff
The county sheriff’s race also shows an early financial contrast.
Incumbent Democrat Larry D. Diaz reported $1,100 in contributions, no expenditures listed in the reviewed figures, $1,000 in debt and $1,100 cash on hand.
Republican challenger Aaron Henry Baca reported $200 in contributions, $92.95 in expenditures, $200 in debt and $107.05 in cash on hand.
With only two candidates currently listed for that office, the race presents one of the clearer early head-to-head financial comparisons on the county ballot.
Cibola County Assessor
For county assessor, Democrat Jenna M. Rodriguez is the only candidate listed in the reviewed materials, and no contributions or expenditures were reported in the figures provided.
New Mexico House District 6
At the legislative level, House District 6 is already shaping up as one of the more active races tied to Cibola County.
On the Democrat field, appointed incumbent Martha Garcia reported $4,600 in contributions, $1,412.74 in expenditures, $3,639.56 in in-kind contributions and $3,187.26 in cash on hand.
Johnny Valdez reported $500 in contributions, $300 in expenditures, $500 in debt and $200 in cash on hand.
Priscilla Benally of Thoreau, who is running from the McKinley County side of House District 6, reported $1,119.95 in contributions, $1,043.81 in expenditures, $150 in in-kind support and $76.14 in cash on hand.
David Alcon reported the largest totals in the Democratic field for the district, with $13,329.65 in contributions, $8,063.24 in expenditures and $5,266.41 in cash on hand. His largest contribution, $7,834, came from “Candidate Campaign Committee – Eliseo Alcon 2024.”
Republican Paul L. Spencer, who is set to advance to the general election as the only Republican listed for the race, reported $1,025.99 in contributions, $8.60 in expenditures and $1,017.39 in cash on hand.
New Mexico House District 69
House District 69 shows the largest financial totals connected to the local contest.
Incumbent Democrat Michelle Paulene Abeyta reported $24,205 in contributions, $4,571.33 in expenditures, $1,247.81 in in-kind contributions and $41,925.49 in cash on hand.
Challenging her in the Democratic primary is Grants resident Harry Garcia, who reported $56,750 in contributions, $11,961.14 in expenditures, $50,000 in debt and $78,506.22 in cash on hand.
There is no Republican challenger.
Cibola Judicial Races
The judicial contests, while lower in dollar amounts, also show meaningful differences in campaign activity.
Cibola Probate Judge
In the Democratic race for probate judge, incumbent Josephine Elizabeth Hurtado reported $1,000 in contributions and $1,000 cash on hand.
Corrine C. Padilla reported $200 in contributions and $200 cash on hand.
Marie Martinez Garcia reported $500 in contributions, $500 in debt and $500 in cash on hand.
No Republican candidate was listed.
Magistrate Judgeships
For Magistrate Judge Division 1, incumbent Democrat Tony L. Mace is the only candidate listed, with no contributions or expenditures reported in the materials reviewed.
In Magistrate Judge Division 2, Democrat Jessica Melonas reported $200 in contributions and $200 in cash on hand.
Michael Chris Cavin reported $618.63 in contributions, $593.63 in expenditures and $25 in cash on hand.
Dominic J. Pargas reported $100 in contributions and $100 in cash on hand.
Republican Robert Scott Windhorst reported $1,025 in contributions and $1,025 in cash on hand, positioning him as the only Republican listed for that race ahead of the general election.
Campaign finance reports do not tell the story of who will win the election. The New Mexico Primary Election will be June 2, 2026.