Martinez Officially Otero County Sheriff-Elect Highlights of Interview with Anthony Lucero

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — Geraldine Yazza Martinez is officially Otero County's sheriff-elect after running unopposed in Tuesday's general election, and she says she is ready to take over the office on Jan. 1 — even if it means walking in just after midnight.

"The reality is setting in now, and I'm ready to move forward and do my best I can for the community," Martinez said in a radio interview with Alamogordo Town News on KALHRadio.org with Anthony Lucero after the results came in. "I'm truly thankful and blessed."

With no opponent on the November ballot, the outcome was never in doubt. But Martinez said the size of the turnout behind her left her "astonished by all the support."

Handoff from Sheriff Black

Martinez said she had not yet heard from outgoing Sheriff David Black or anyone in his office about the transition. She plans to reach out to him directly once she wraps up her current duties.

If that doesn't work out, she said, she will go to the county manager and county attorney instead. "It's no big deal," she said. "If I go in there January first, right after midnight, then that's what I'll have to do."

Wrapping up in Tularosa

Before she moves to the county, Martinez has work to finish at the Tularosa Police Department, which she has led as chief. The department's chief position is currently open, and she said she would like to see it filled before she leaves.

If it isn't, she said she will remain available to help the department with anything it needs. She also has open cases to close and "loose ends" to tidy up for whoever comes next. "My plate's going to be pretty full this next month," she said.

A historic win

The real contest came in June. Martinez won the June 2 Republican primary for the open seat with about 54% of the vote — 2,818 votes — over Undersheriff Raul Robles (29%) and Cesar James Ramos (17%), according to unofficial primary results. No Democrat filed for the office.

A Mescalero Apache tribal member, Martinez is set to become Otero County's first female sheriff and its first Native American sheriff. Her career includes service in the U.S. Navy, stints as an Otero County deputy and narcotics sergeant, and posts as the first female undersheriff in Lincoln County and the first female police chief in Otero County.

During the campaign, she pledged to restore cooperation between the sheriff's office and other agencies and to rebuild public trust in the department.

"This has been my home"

Martinez grew up in Tularosa and has lived just north of the village for almost 20 years. She called her time leading its police department "probably one of the best things I've ever done in my law enforcement career," and thanked the village for the opportunity.

To the wider county, she promised to keep an open mind and keep learning. "I look forward to serving Otero County," she said. "I'm going to do my best to serve this community."

She closed by asking for prayers and thanking God for putting the job before her, saying she trusts He will "get me through whatever is presented to me in the future."

Martinez takes office as sheriff on Jan. 1, 2027.

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