CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – With filing reviews complete and late changes now reflected in the Secretary of State’s records, Cibola County voters have a finalized list of candidates who are set to appear on the June 2, 2026 primary election ballot for several key local and legislative races.
The updated list confirms who is qualified, and it also reflects two notable changes since earlier filing-day coverage: one candidate in House District 6 is now listed as disqualified, and one candidate in the County Commission District 3 race is listed as withdrawn. (Ballot order numbers are included in the official record and determine how candidates appear on the ballot.)
State Legislative races
House District 6, which represents Cibola’s West, will feature an uncontested Republican primary and a narrowed Democratic field. Paul L. Spencer (R) is listed as qualified.
On the Democratic side, Martha Garcia (incumbent), David L. Alcon, and Johnny Valdez are listed as qualified; Leonardo J. Torrez is listed as disqualified in the final record after the 13th Judicial District Court in Grants found the signatures he turned in to get his name on the ballot were not accurate.
In House District 69, which represents Cibola’s East, shows Harry Garcia (D) listed as qualified.
Magistrate Judge Races
For Magistrate Judge Division 1, only one candidate, Tony L. Mace (D) is listed as qualified.
For Magistrate Judge Division 2, the field includes three Democrats – Jessica M. Melonas, Michael Chris Cavin, and Dominic John Pargas – all listed as qualified, along with one Republican, Robert Scott Windhorst (R), also listed as qualified.
County Commission Races
Two commission seats are on the ballot this year. In County Commission District 1, three Democrats are listed as qualified: Marty R. Molina, Richard Allen Cerno, and Robert J. Armijo. With no republicans filing to run.
In County Commission District 3, the final list shows five Democrats listed as qualified Michael W. Lewis, Stanley E. Michael, George Rodriguez, Robert Francis Horacek, and Martin M. Vigil – a long with one republican, City of Grants Mayor Erik Omar Garcia (R), listed as qualified. Grants City Councilwoman Beverly Michael (D) is listed as withdrawn.
Because commission seats are elected by district, only voters who live in District 1 or District 3 will vote in those specific commission contests.
Countywide Offices
For Cibola County Sheriff, Larry D. Diaz (D) and Aaron Henry Baca (R) are both listed as qualified.
For Cibola County Assessor, Jenna M. Rodriguez (D) is listed as qualified. She is the only candidate.
For Probate Judge, three Democrats are listed as qualified: Marie Martinez-Garcia who was the last person elected to this office but resigned the post, Josephine E. Hurtado who currently serves after being appointed to fill the vacancy left by Martinez-Garcia, and Corrine C. Padilla a former county probate judge.
What Voters Should do Next
With the candidate list finalized, the focus now shifts to voting logistics.
The primary election is Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cibola County voters who have moved recently are encouraged to confirm their registration information, since district- based races, especially county commission and legislative races, depend on the address on file.
Voters with questions about registration, districts, or voting options can contact the Cibola County Clerk’s Office.