Alamogordo NM
3-10-2026 9:41pm

Finalized Candidate Roster for Otero County’s 2026 Primary Election

Alamogordo, NM – March 10, 2026 – With the 5 p.m. filing deadline now passed, the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office has released the complete list of major party candidates who have declared for offices impacting Otero County in the upcoming 2026 primary election.

This year’s filings include a mix of incumbents defending their seats, intraparty challenges, and new entrants, reflecting active engagement in local politics within this southern New Mexico county. All filings are currently listed as pending, awaiting signature verification and final certification by the Secretary of State’s office in the coming days.

The primary election, scheduled for June 2, 2026, will determine party nominees for the November 3 general election. Otero County, known for its conservative leanings, features several contested Republican primaries, particularly in judicial and county executive roles

Notably, the Democratic Party has fielded only one candidate in a key commission race, signaling potential cross-party competition in the general election. A big question where are the Democratic candidates in Otero County? Missing in action!

Independents and DTS candidates will not appear in the primary but will be in the November elections.

According to the candidate guide from the Secretary of State’s office, positions up for grabs in Otero include county commissioners for Districts 1 and 2, county assessor, county sheriff, probate judge, and magistrate judges for Divisions 1 and 2. Note contact information is directly displayed on the New Mexico Secretary of State website.

https://candidateportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/CandidateList.aspx?eid=2911&cty=99

State Legislative Races Covering Otero County

Otero County residents will vote in two state House districts:

• State Representative District 51 (primarily Otero County): Incumbent John Block (Republican) filed unopposed in the primary. Block, a vocal conservative, submitted his declaration at 10:22 a.m. Mailing address: 1111 Tenth St. #402, Alamogordo, NM 88310; Email: john@johnfornm.com; Phone: (575) 201-3230.

• State Representative District 53 (parts of Otero and Doña Ana counties): Ben Luna Jr. (Republican) filed unopposed. Luna, a Chaparral resident, aims to represent rural interests. Filing time: 9:15 a.m. Mailing address: 478 Kellie St. Unit C, Chaparral, NM 88081-7678; Email: glopro575@gmail.com; Phone: (575) 921-5650.

Additionally, State Senate District 33 (encompassing parts of Otero, Chaves, and Lincoln counties) is open for the remaining two years of a term, but no Otero-specific filings were noted in the portal for this seat.

Judicial Contests: Magistrate Court Positions

Magistrate judge roles, which handle misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings, are non-partisan in name but often partisan in practice. Otero has two divisions up for election:

• Magistrate Judge Division 1: John Robinson Secrest III (Republican) filed unopposed at 9:42 a.m.

• Magistrate Judge Division 2: This race features a Republican primary contest between Albert R. Greene III (filing time: 9:31 a.m.) and Joseph W. Cutts (filing time: 12:17 p.m.).

County-Level Offices: Commissions, Sheriff, and More

County races drew significant interest, with multiple challengers in key positions:

• County Commissioner District 1: A bipartisan contest is shaping up, with Alan David Gonzalez (Democrat) filing at 10:28 a.m. (Mailing address: 1328 Nambi Desert Dr., Chaparral, NM 88081; Email: alangfortoterocc@gmail.com; Phone: (915) 449-492) and Christopher Wayne Glidden (Republican) filing at 9:07 a.m. (Mailing address: 829 Highway 70 W, Alamogordo, NM 88310; Email: gliddenc@swflooring.net; Phone: (575) 491-5709).

• County Commissioner District 2: Incumbent Amy Barela (Republican), who also chairs the Republican Party of New Mexico, faces a primary challenge from Jonathan T. Emery (Republican). Barela filed at 9:06 a.m. (Mailing address: 1 Sunrise, Tularosa, NM 88352; Email: amya4otero@gmail.com; Phone: (575) 430-833); Emery filed at 9:08 a.m. (Mailing address: 25 Dog Ranch Rd., La Luz, NM 88337; Email: otero3350@gmail.com; Phone: (575) 921-5074).

• County Sheriff: Three Republicans are vying for this position in a competitive primary. Geraldine Yazza filed at 9:10 a.m. (Mailing address: PO Box 43, Tularosa, NM 88352; Email: geraldine.yazzamartinez4sheriff@gmail.com; Phone: (575) 430-948); Cesar James Ramos at 9:14 a.m. (Mailing address: 8 Ruby Ln., Alamogordo, NM 88310; Email: cjramos727@gmail.com; Phone: (575) 491-7569); and Raul Robles at 10:22 a.m. (Mailing address: PO Box 1005, Alamogordo, NM 88310; Email: raulroblesforsheriff@gmail.com; Phone: (915) 539-2643).

• County Assessor: James M. Bowman (Republican) filed unopposed at 11:42 a.m. (Mailing address: 3810 Wood Loop, Alamogordo, NM 88310; Email: bowman4assessor@gmail.com; Phone: (575) 489-473).

• Probate Judge: Jessica Lynn Suggs (Republican) filed unopposed at 9:18 a.m. (Mailing address: 8801 Highway 70 W, Alamogordo, NM 88310; Email: (575) 489-473).

No additional Democratic candidates were listed for assessor, sheriff, probate judge, or magistrate positions in the portal.

Election Context and Next Steps

This filing day caps a period of pre-primary conventions, where parties like the Republicans gathered in Ruidoso to designate candidates for higher offices. For local races, filings occurred at the Otero County Clerk’s office, with requirements including nominating petitions for some positions. Otero County Clerk Selina Maes has affirmed the office’s dedication to a transparent process, urging voters to verify their registration via the SOS Voter Information Portal.

As verifications proceed, any disqualifications could alter the field. Key issues expected to drive campaigns include border security, economic development around Holloman Air Force Base, and local infrastructure. With Otero’s Republican dominance, primary outcomes may decide many races, though the Democratic entry in District 1 could lead to a contested general.

https://candidateportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/CandidateList.aspx?eid=2911&cty=99

For the full statewide list and updates, visit the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Candidate Portal. Residents can also follow local commentary from sources like 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News for in-depth analysis.

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