EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — James Montoya is in the early lead in the Democratic runoff for district attorney and Oscar Ugarte is out in front early in the Democratic runoff for El Paso County sheriff, according early voting results that were released at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night, May 28.
Montoya, a public defender and former assistant district attorney, has 51.65 percent of the vote or 7,922 votes. Alma Trejo, a lawyer and a retired county criminal court at law judge, has 48.35 votes or 7,417 votes.
The winner will face off with Republican incumbent Bill Hicks in the November general election.
Back in March, Montoya got 37.57 percent of the vote and Trejo was a close second at 35.53 percent. Trejo led for most of the night before late results were tabulated and pushed Montoya ahead.
Photos by Fernie Ortiz/KTSM
Photos by Fernie Ortiz/KTSM
The District Attorney’s Office represents the state and victims of crime in the prosecution of adult felony and misdemeanor cases committed in El Paso, Culberson and Hudspeth counties, according to the DA Office Website.
Hicks was appointed to the office after previous DA Yvonne Rosales resigned in December 2022 under a swirl of controversy.
In the El Paso County sheriff race, Ugarte has 58.40 percent or 9,071 votes after early voting results were released. Bobby Flores has 41.60 percent or 6,461 votes.
Ugarte is the county constable for Precinct 1, while Flores is a retired assistant chief for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Back in the March Primary, Ugarte had 43.39 percent of the votes, but couldn’t secure a majority. Flores had 23.95 percent, followed by Ryan Urrutia at 23.58 percent. Just 132 votes separated Flores and Urrutia, deciding the second spot in the runoff in Flores’ favor.
The winner will face Republican Minerva Torres Shelton in the general election.
Candidates for sheriff are vying to succeed incumbent Richard Wiles, who did not seek re-election and is retiring after four terms in office.
There are two other Democratic runoff races depending on where you live.
In House District 77, former County Commissioner Vince Perez has the early lead with 66.2 percent or 3,185 votes. Former state Rep. Norma Chavez has 33.8 percent or 1,626 votes.
There is no Republican running in this race.
They are facing off to succeed state Rep. Lina Ortega, D-Texas, who is serving her fourth term in the Legislature and decided not to run for re-election.
Perez served two terms on the County Commissioners Court before being defeated for re-election in 2020. Chavez served in the state Legislature from 1997-2011.
In constable Precinct 1, Frank Almada has the early lead with 61.06 percent or 1,452 votes. Andrea “Andi” Baca has 38.94 percent or 926 votes.
Again, there is no Republican in the race.
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