CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Early voting has begun and the June 2 New Mexico Primary Election is 13 days away as of May 20.
A slew of local offices in county and state government are up for election. Below is a current refresher on who is running for what in the Cibola County contests and legislative seats most directly affecting local voters. Other questions may be on the ballot based on where a voter is registered as living.
Cibola County Board of Commissioners
Two Cibola County Commission seats are on the ballot this year: District 1 and District 3.
In Commission District 1, three Democrats are seeking the seat: Marty R. Molina, Richard Allen Cerno, and Robert J. Armijo.
There is no Republican challenger.
In Commission District 3, five Democrats are in the race – Michael W. Lewis, Stanley E. Michael, George Rodriguez, Robert Francis Horacek, and Martin M. Vigil.
Erik Omar Garcia, Mayor of the City of Grants, is the lone Republican in this contest. He will face the victor of the Democrat contest in November’s General Election.
Because commission seats are elected by district, only voters who live in District 1 or District 3 will vote in those specific commission contests.
Cibola County Sheriff
The Cibola County Sheriff race is also set for the primary.
With Larry D. Diaz running for re-election as the sole Democrat and Aaron Henry Baca running as the sole Republican, both will win the June election and advance to November’s General Election.
The sheriff’s office plays a central role in countywide law enforcement and emergency response coordination. The two contestants will face each other in November’s election.
Cibola County Assessor
For Cibola County Assessor, Jenna M. Rodriguez is on the ballot as a Democrat. There are no other candidates.
The assessor’s office oversees property valuation for tax purposes, a role that affects property owners countywide and helps shape how local tax bills are calculated.
Cibola County Probate Judge
In Probate Judge, three Democrats are running: Marie Martinez-Garcia, Josephine E. Hurtado, and Corrine C. Padilla. There is no republican challenger.
Probate court matters can include estates and other legal proceedings handled through that office.
Cibola County Magistrate Judge
Local judicial races also appear on the ballot.
For Magistrate Judge Division 1, Tony L. Mace is running as a Democrat. He is the only candidate in this race.
For Magistrate Judge Division 2, candidates include Democrats Jessica M. Melonas, Michael Chris Cavin, and Dominic John Pargas.
One Republican, Robert Scott Windhorst is also running for this seat, he will face the winner of the democrat ticket in November’s General Election.
Magistrate courts handle a range of lower-court matters, and those races can affect how local cases move through the system.
State Representative District 6
On the legislative side, State Representative District 6 includes a contested Democratic field featuring Martha Garcia, David L. Alcon, and Johnny Valdez.
Paul L. Spencer is the lone Republican candidate, he will face the winner of the Democrat contest in the November General Election.
In State Representative District 69, Harry Garcia is listed as the Democratic challenger, opposing incumbent Michelle Pauline Abeyta.
There is no republican challenger.
Only residents registered to vote in District 6 can vote in HD6’s election, only residents registered to vote in House District 69 can vote in HD69’s election.
As election day approaches, voters are encouraged to confirm their registration information and address on file – especially those voting in district-based races such as county commission and state legislative seats.
The primary election is Tuesday, June 2, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can check their registration and election information through the state’s voter portal at NMVote.org, or contact the Cibola County Clerk’s Office for local voting questions.
In a county with close races and crowded fields, some races are decided by only a single digit of votes.