Early Voting for March 5 Primary Election runs now through Friday, March 1 

TRI-COUNTY — Early voting for the March 5 Primary Election runs until Friday, March 1. Voters are casting their ballots for Presidential candidates, U.S. Senate candidates and several other state-wide and regional seats, as well as a number of local county-level seats up for election across the Big Bend. Leading Democrat and Republican candidates will proceed to the November 5 General Election. Primary runoff elections will take place on May 28. 

Those elected will not assume office until January 2025. The deadline to register to vote in the election has passed. To check your voter eligibility, visit the secretary of state’s website. 

Below, The Big Bend Sentinel details a list of voting times, locations and candidates. Presidio County received only Democratic candidates, Jeff Davis County received only Republican candidates and Brewster County received both Republican and Democratic candidates, but none are vying for the same position — meaning all local elections will be decided in the primaries. 

TRI-COUNTY 

Across the region, the district judge and district attorney seats, currently held by Roy Ferguson and Ori White, are up for election. Running for district judge are two Brewster County Republicans Bill Parham and Monty Kimball.

PRESIDIO

Early Voting will take place at the Marfa Visitor’s Center (USO), 302 S. Highland Street, and at 309 Jose Rodriguez Street in Presidio. Polls will be open Tuesday, February 20 to Friday, February 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, February 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, February 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday, February 26 through Friday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Incumbent Rod Ponton is running against attorney Blair Park for the role of County Attorney. County Commissioner Precinct 1 candidates include Deirdre Hisler, a retired Texas Parks and Wildlife employee; Samuel Sánchez, who runs a cattle business; and Ruben Armendariz, the facilities director at Presidio ISD. 

County Commissioner Precinct 3 candidates include incumbent José Luis Cabezuela; Tiburcio Acosta, a store manager; Irma Carrasco, a teacher; and Frankie Ortiz, a truck driver.  

Nancy Arevalo, an accountant, and Norma Valenzuela, the Presidio County tax office deputy clerk, are running for Tax Assessor-Collector.

Law enforcement officials running for reelection include incumbent Sheriff Danny Dominguez and incumbent Constable Precinct 1 Estevan “Steve” Marquez. Incumbent Adan “Pugi” Covos and Rafael Bentley Acosta, who is retired, are running for the role of Constable Precinct 2.

Ramon Rodriguez is running to continue in his role as Presidio County Democratic Party Chair, as is Presidio County Republican Party Chair Dan Dunlap. 

Candidate Questionnaires for Presidio County candidates can be found in recent print editions of The Big Bend Sentinel. 

BREWSTER

Early Voting will take place at the Judge Val Clark Beard Office Complex (Old Library) 203 North 7th Street, Alpine. Polls will be open Tuesday, February 20 to Friday, February 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, February 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, February 25 from 1 to 7 p.m. and Monday, February 26 through Friday, March 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There are no contested races in the Republican Primary. Marisol Skelton, assistant district attorney, is running for the role of County Attorney. J. Steve Houston is currently county attorney but not seeking reelection. 

Incumbents James Westermann and Flavio Ybarra have filed for County Commissioner Precinct 1 and Constable Precinct 1 positions, respectively. Monica McBride is running to continue in her role as Brewster County Republican Party Chair. 

The Democratic Primary includes one contested race for County Commissioner Precinct 3, against incumbent Ruben Ortega by Alpine ISD School Board member Joe Portillo. 

Incumbent Sheriff Ronnie Dodson is running for reelection as is incumbent Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia Vega. Both are running unopposed. Mary Bell Lockhart is running to continue her role as Brewster County Democratic Party Chair. 

JEFF DAVIS

Early voting will take place at the County and District Clerk’s Office, 111 North Front Street, through the green double doors. Polls will be open Tuesday, February 20 to Friday, February 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, February 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, February 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, February 26 through Friday, March 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Up for election in Jeff Davis County are County Commissioner Precinct 1 and 3 seats, currently held by Jody Adams and John Davis. Adams is running for reelection unopposed. Davis is running against Graydon Hicks, Fort Davis ISD superintendent.  

Running for the combined role of Sheriff/Tax Assessor-Collector are Victor Lopez, a police officer; Clay Woods, a retired police officer; C.W. Stephens, current deputy sheriff and Rick McIvor. Bill Kitts, who currently holds the office, is not seeking reelection. 

King Merritt, deputy sheriff, and incumbent Mike Wright both filed for the role of County Constable. No candidates filed for the role of County Attorney, currently held by Glen Eisen.     

Matthew Blackman is running to continue his role as Jeff Davis County Republican Party Chair as is Jeff Davis County Democratic Party Chair Calvin Glover.