The deadline for filing as a candidate for the March 3 Republican and Democratic primaries was Monday at 6 p.m., which now gives a clear picture of who will be running for local races.
For Presidio County, a Democratic stronghold, the primary winner has traditionally moved on to win the November election. For Jeff Davis County, it’s just the opposite, with Republicans usually winning the final race. Brewster County, which has increasingly become more Republican, still is close to “purple,” so primaries might not be the deciding factor there.
The biggest area matchup likely will be Presidio County Judge Joe Portillo trying to hold his seat against a challenge from former Precinct 4 County Commissioner David Beebe. Beebe had mistakenly made his campaign announcement too early under state law and was forced to automatically resign. Portillo then appointed Frank “Buddy” Knight to the seat.
El plazo para presentar candidaturas para las primarias republicanas y demócratas del 3 de marzo venció el lunes a las 6 p.m., lo que ahora permite tener una idea clara de quiénes se postularán para los cargos locales.
En el condado de Presidio, un bastión demócrata, el ganador de las primarias tradicionalmente ha ganado las elecciones de noviembre. En el condado de Jeff Davis, ocurre lo contrario, ya que los republicanos suelen ganar la contienda final. El condado de Brewster, que se ha vuelto cada vez más republicano, aún se considera un condado indeciso, por lo que las primarias podrían no ser el factor decisivo allí.
El enfrentamiento más importante probablemente será el del juez del condado de Presidio, Joe Portillo, quien intentará conservar su puesto frente al desafío del excomisionado del Precinto 4, David Beebe. Beebe había anunciado su candidatura prematuramente, contraviniendo la ley estatal, y se vio obligado a renunciar automáticamente. Posteriormente, Portillo nombró a Frank “Buddy” Knight para ocupar el cargo.
The following are local candidates:
Presidio County Democrats:
County Judge: José “Joe” Portillo Jr. (incumbent)
County Judge: David Beebe
County Commissioner Precinct 4: Susan Hays
County Commissioner Precinct 2: Margarito Hernández (incumbent)
County Commissioner Precinct 2: Fernando Juárez
County Commissioner Precinct 2: Jesús “Junie” Herrera
County Clerk/District Clerk: Carolina Catano (incumbent, appointed)
County Clerk/District Clerk: Brenda Pando Covos
County Treasurer: Florcita Zubia (incumbent, appointed)
County Treasurer: Jusby Vasquez
Justice of the Peace Precinct 1: Dina Jo Marquez
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: Bianca Martinez Bailon
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: Jesseca Murillo
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: Angel Miguel Campos
Democratic County Chair: Irma Juárez
Presidio County Republican Party
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: Amabilia “Amy” Galindo for Justice of the Peace
Precinct 1 Party Chair: William Kim Thornsburg (unopposed, not on ballot)
Republican County Chair: Daniel “Dan” Dunlap
Brewster County Republicans
County Commissioner Precinct 4: William K. “Mo” Morrow (incumbent)
County Judge: Greg Henington (incumbent)
Justice of the Peace Precinct 1: Scott Wasserman (incumbent)
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: Paul Rashott (incumbent)
(Donna Green has also filed for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, but the application has not been finalized)
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3: Michael Johnson
Brewster County Democrats
County Commissioner Precinct 2: Sara Allen Colando
County Clerk: Sarah Lujan
County Treasurer: Julie Morton (incumbent)
Justice of Peace Pct 1: Felipe Fierro
Justice of Peace Pct 3: Susana Gonzales
Democratic Party County Chair: Mary Bell Lockhart (incumbent)
Democratic Party County Chair: Holly Blankenship
Precinct 6 Party Chair: Barbara Hines
Jeff Davis County Republicans
County Commissioner Precinct 2: Roy Hurley (incumbent)
County Commissioner Precinct 4: Tommy Vick (appointed)
County Clerk: Jennifer Wright (incumbent)
Justice of the Peace: Mary Ann Luedecke (incumbent)
County Treasurer: Dawn Kitts (incumbent)
County Treasurer: Brittany Escobedo
County Judge: Curtis Evans (incumbent)
County Judge: Buster Mills
Republican Party Chair: Jake Knobloch
Jeff Davis County Democrats
County Commissioner Precinct 4: Albert Miller
Democratic County Chair: Andrea Goss
Big Bend Sentinel will report on state candidates that cover the tri-county area in upcoming issues.