EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Texas Primary on March 5 is fast approaching.
Early voting begins on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and runs through Friday, March 1.
You can click here to find a list of early voting locations.
Here is a quick look at some of the local races to keep an eye on.
House District 77
In House District 77, there are four Democrats vying to succeed incumbent Rep. Lina Ortega, who is not running for re-election. With no Republican running, the winner will automatically be elected to serve starting in 2025 and will serve a two-year term.
The Democratic candidates are: former state Rep. Norma Chavez, who represented the district from 1997 to 2011; former County Commissioner Vince Perez; former City Rep. Alexsandra Annello; and businessman Homer Reza.
El Paso district attorney (34th Judicial District)
Three Democrats are running in their primary — lawyer and retired Judge Alma Trejo; Nancy Casas, an assistant county attorney and former assistant district attorney; and public defender James Montoya, who is also a former assistant district attorney.
The winner will face Republican Bill Hicks, the incumbent who is running unopposed. Hicks was appointed to fill the vacancy created when previous DA Yvonne Rosales resigned in December 2022.
The district attorney for the 34th Judicial District oversees the prosecution of state criminal cases in El Paso, Culberson and Hudspeth counties.
The DA serves a four-year term. One of the big responsibilities will be overseeing the state’s case against Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius, who has already pleaded guilty to federal charges in the Aug. 3, 2019 mass shooting that killed 23 people and wounded more than 20 others.
El Paso County Sheriff
Five Democrats are running to succeed incumbent Sheriff Richard Wiles, who is retiring after four terms.
The Democrats are: Raul Mendiola; Robert “Bobby” Flores; Ryan Urrutia; Oscar Ugarte; and Michael P. Gonzales.
The winner will face off in the November general election with Republican Minerva Torres Shelton, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
All candidates have a background in law enforcement.
The sheriff also serves a four-year term.
County Commissioner, Precinct 1
Two Democrats are vying to succeed incumbent Carlos Leon, who is retiring after serving three terms on the El Paso County Commissioners Court.
Democratic candidates are: Jackie Arroyo Butler, a senior policy adviser for Leon; and Pete Faraone, a retired El Paso County Sheriff’s detention officer.
Former City Rep. Claudia Rodriguez is running unopposed in the Republican Primary, and Ryan Woodcraft, an Army veteran, is running unopposed in the Libertarian Primary.
Stick with KTSM and KTSM.com for complete election coverage leading up to the primary and on Election Day.
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