EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Democratic challenger James Montoya ousted incumbent Republican Bill Hicks in the race for District Attorney of the 34th Judicial District after final unofficial voting results were released at about 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
The 34th Judicial District spans three counties: El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson.
In El Paso County, Montoya got 57.27 percent or 128,383 votes, leaving Hicks with 42.73 percent or 95,777 votes. In the rural counties of Hudspeth and Culberson, Hicks won with 71 percent and 54 percent of the vote, respectively.
Hicks was appointed to office by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in December 2022 after former District Attorney Yvonne Rosales resigned two years into her four-year term.
Montoya won May’s runoff election against former Judge Alma Trejo for the Democratic Party nomination.
The District Attorney’s Office represents the state and victims of crime in the prosecution of felony and misdemeanor cases committed in El Paso, Culberson and Hudspeth counties, according to the El Paso County’s website.
Over in Doña Ana County, Democrat Fernando Macias appears to be heading to the victory against Republican Michael Cain. They are vying to replace the current Third Judicial District Court District Attorney Gerald Byers.
Longtime Doña Ana County public official and attorney Macias continues to lead with 56 percent or 45,089 votes, followed by Las Cruces defense attorney Cain with 44 percent or 35,889 votes.
Macias ousted incumbent Byers during the Democratic primary.
Cain ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
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