Reminder: ALAMOGORDO TOWN NEWS & KALH RADIO TO HOST SHERIFF'S CANDIDATE FORUM AT OTERO ARTS Tuesday 5-5-26 6pm

ALAMOGORDO, NM — Alamogordo Town News and KALH Radio are proud to host the 7th installment of the Voices of Alamogordo monthly community forum series: a live Sheriff's Candidate Forum featuring all the Republican primary contenders vying to become Otero County's next top law enforcement officer.

The forum will be held at Otero Arts (Otero Artspace) and will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a community mixer immediately following from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m., giving residents the rare opportunity to speak one-on-one with the candidates in a relaxed setting. 

The event will also be live streamed for those unable to attend in person on the KALHRadio.org YouTube Channel. (1) Krazy KALH Radio - YouTube

With the Republican primary election set for June 2, 2026 and early voting beginning, and with Otero County's strong GOP leanings making the primary outcome pivotal, this forum represents a critical opportunity for voters to hear directly from the men and women who want to lead the Otero County Sheriff's Office. 

Note this year DTS and Independent candidates can request a Republican ballot and participate in the primary election. 

THE CANDIDATES

Raul Robles is a career law enforcement professional with over 23 years of law enforcement and leadership experience. Currently serving as a Public Relations Deputy under outgoing Sheriff David Black, Robles has pledged to appoint Black as his undersheriff if elected — a move that signals continuity with the current administration. On his campaign website, Robles says he "proudly recognizes the work of Sheriff David Black" and promises to "honor that progress, improve where needed, and lead with honesty, accountability, and heart." His platform includes expanding patrol coverage, particularly in rural areas of the county. 

César Ramos brings a background in federal law enforcement to the race. A retired U.S. Border Patrol firearms instructor and former Otero County Republican Party chair, Ramos is running on a platform of reform, transparency, and enhanced officer training. Ramos has made media accessibility a centerpiece of his campaign, pledging to meet with journalists and community members openly. "I don't care if it's Fox, KALH Radio, or AlamogordoTownNews.org," Ramos has said. "If you've got a mic and a question, I'll answer it." His campaign emphasizes rebuilding community trust and ensuring accountability throughout the department.

Geraldine Yazza Martinez is a trailblazing figure in regional law enforcement. Born in Mescalero and a registered member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, Martinez graduated from Alamogordo High School before serving in the United States military. She holds an associate's degree in criminal justice and began her federal law enforcement certification in 2003. Her career includes historic firsts: she is the first female Undersheriff for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the first female Chief of the Mescalero Conservation Department, and the first female Sergeant for the Otero County Sheriff's Office. She currently serves as the first female Chief of Police for the Village of Tularosa. Martinez has pledged to restore interagency cooperation, rebuild public trust, and ensure accountability at every level of the Sheriff's Office. 

The Voices of Alamogordo series was created to give residents direct access to the people and conversations shaping our community.

This Sheriff's forum continues that mission at a moment when questions of public safety, accountability, and the future direction of the Otero County Sheriff's Office are front and center for voters across the basin.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The forum begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. Seating is limited, so community members are encouraged to arrive early. The live stream link will be available at KALHRadio.org via our YouTube page and posted on a variety of social media channels post forum. 

This is your community. This is your vote. Come be heard.

Alamogordo Town News and KALH Radio are committed to providing fair, balanced, and open access to civic dialogue in Otero County.

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