EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Democrat Oscar Ugarte is the early leader against Republican Minerva Torres Shelton in the El Paso County sheriff’s race after early voting results were released at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5
Ugarte is leading with 59.56 percent or 100,684 votes, and Torres Shelton is following behind with 40.44 percent or 68,351 votes.
With current El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles stepping down at the end of this year, the candidates are vying to be the new sheriff for the first time in 16 years.
Ugarte, currently an El Paso County constable, beat Robert “Bobby” Flores in a runoff for the Democratic Party nomination.
Retired FBI El Paso field supervisor Torres Shelton faced no opposition in the Republican Primary.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office oversees a budget of approximately $128 million and has over 1,000 employees, according to EPCSO.
EPCSO also oversees the Jail Annex in far East El Paso and the Downtown Detention Facility, and they patrol El Paso County including the unincorporated parts.
In the El Paso County commissioner Precinct 1 race, Democrat Jackie Arroyo Butler is leading with 56.27 percent or 24,938 votes, followed by Republican Claudia Rodriguez with 37.47 percent or 16,609 votes, and then Libertarian Ryan Woodcraft with 6.26 percent or 2,774 votes.
The County commissioner Precinct 1 seat is currently held by Carlos Leon. He is retiring after serving three terms.
Arroyo Butler, who currently serves as a senior policy advisor for Leon, secured the Democratic Party nomination in the primary.
Former City Rep. Rodriguez ran unopposed in the Republican primary, and Woodcraft, an Army veteran, ran unopposed in the Libertarian primary.
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