CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Cibola County voters now have a clearer picture of what to expect on the June primary ballot after the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office released an updated list of candidates who have qualified for local and legislative races following Filing Day.
The updated roster reflects candidate status changes since March 10, including confirmations of qualification and at least one withdrawal in a crowded county commission race.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 2, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting and mailed ballots begin in May through the Cibola County Clerk’s Office.
Two State House Races will be on Local Ballots
In State Representative District 6, five candidates qualified for the primary ballot.
The Democratic field includes: Incumbent Martha Garcia of Pinehill who is running for the seat for the first time as she was appointed to the seat in 2026 after the passage of longtime Representative Eliseo Lee Alcon in December of 2025, the field includes Alcon’s son David L. Alcon of Milan, current Cibola Magistrate Judge Johnny Valdez of San Rafael, and business owner Leonardo J. Torrez of San Rafael.
Republican Paul L. Spencer of Bluewater also qualified for the HD6 race.
In State Representative District 69, Democratic candidate Harry Garcia of Grants is listed as qualified – he registered with a Grants address at the Cibola County Clerk’s Office. Incumbent Democrat Michelle Pauline Abeyta is also listed as qualified and public records show she registered in Bernalillo with a To’hajiilee address.
There is no republican candidate in the HD69 June Primary.
Cibola County Commission District 1 set, District 3 Crowded
Two seats on the Cibola County Board of Commissioners are on the ballot this year: District 1 and District 3.
In County Commission District 1, three candidates are qualified, all Democrats: Marty R. Molina of Seboyeta, Robert J. Armijo of Seboyeta, and Richard Allen Cerno of Casa Blanca.
In County Commission District 3, the field remains large.
Qualified Democratic candidates are George Rodriguez of Grants, Michael W. Lewis of Grants, Stanley E. Michael who registered with a Rio Rancho address but says he lives in Cibola County, Martin M. Vigil of San Fidel, and Robert Francis Horacek of Grants.
Mayor of the City of Grants and registered Republican Erik Omar Garcia is also listed as qualified for the County Commission District 3.
Grants City Councilwoman Beverly Michael, who filed as a Democrat, is listed as withdrawn, reducing the size of the District 3 field.
Sheriff and Assessor Races Set for June
The race for Cibola County Sheriff will not be contested in the primary, as only one Democrat, incumbent Sheriff Larry D. Diaz of Grants registered. Only one Republican, Aaron Henry Baca of Grants is also listed as qualified.
For Cibola County Assessor, Jenna M. Rodriguez of Grants is listed as qualified as a Democrat. Based on the updated list, Rodriguez is the only candidate for this office.
Cibola Magistrate Courts and Probate Judge
Cibola County’s magistrate court races are also set for the primary.
For Magistrate Judge Division 1, Tony L. Mace is listed as qualified as a Democrat. He is the only candidate for this office.
For Magistrate Judge Division 2, four candidates qualified.
Democrats Michael Chris Cavin, Jessica M. Melonas, and Dominic John Pargas are listed as qualified. Republican Robert Scott Windhorst also qualified and is the only candidate for the Republican ballot.
The Probate Judge race will also be a contested primary.
Three Democrats are listed as qualified: Corrine C. Padilla, Josephine E. Hurtado, and Marie Martinez- Garcia.
Early Voting Begins in May
With candidate qualification largely settled, the election calendar now shifts from filing to voting.
Early in-person voting begins at the county clerk’s office in May, and the county will also begin issuing mailed ballots during the same period.
Voters who plan to participate in the primary are encouraged by the Cibola County Clerk to verify their registration and ensure their address is current, especially if they have moved since the last election cycle, as district-based races like county commission and state legislature depend on where a voter is registered.
Because county commission seats are elected by district, only voters who live in Commission District 1 or District 3 will vote in those contests.
Countywide offices such as sheriff, assessor, and probate judge are voted on by eligible voters who live in Cibola County.
The Cibola Citizen will continue its 2026 election coverage with office-by-office explainers, candidate profiles, and district map resources to help voters understand the roles being elected and the decisions those officials will make on behalf of the county.