Sandoval County Processes About 30 Candidates on 2026 Election Filing Day

About 30 candidates filed declarations of candidacy at the Sandoval County Clerk's office on March 10, a day that doubled as Sandoval County's founding anniversary, setting up a crowded primary season ahead of the June 2 election.

Sandoval County Clerk Ann Brady-Romero and Deputy Clerk Joey Dominguez described the day as steady. "It was a little bit busy here in the morning, but we try to make it as best as we can because this is an important day," Brady-Romero said. The office reported a mix of returning and first-time candidates among the roughly 30 who came through.

The filings spanned state legislative seats, county commission districts, the sheriff's office, and several judicial posts. Five state House districts serving Sandoval County drew candidates. Incumbent Alan Martinez filed in District 23, where he faces Democrat Elise Taylor. District 44 incumbent Kathleen Cates will face Republican Raul Vigil. In District 57, incumbent Catherine Cullen faces Democrat Chriselle Martinez. District 60 produced the most crowded legislative field, with incumbent Republican Josh Hernandez drawing a same-party challenger in Zachary Anaya alongside Democrat Luke Jungmann, setting up a Republican primary before the general. Democrat Derrick Lente filed as the sole candidate in District 65.

The county commission races carry particular weight this cycle because term limits have cleared two seats. In Commission District 1, Democrats Paul Madrid of Bernalillo and John Sapien of Corrales will compete in a primary to replace term-limited incumbent Katherine Bruch, with Republican Rebecca Skartwed of Placitas waiting in the general. District 3, vacated by term-limited Commissioner Michael Meek, drew Democrat Frank Smith Jr. and Republicans Dan Stoddard and Edwin Linson, pointing to a Republican primary before the general matchup.

The county sheriff's race attracted five candidates across both parties: Democrats John Trujillo, Martin Arellano, and Jose Gonzales Jr. filed alongside Republicans Victor Rodriguez and Alvin Miller, guaranteeing primary contests on both sides. The assessor's office drew Democrat Gerred Prairie and Republicans Richard Shanks and Lawrence Griego, while the probate judge race produced a Democratic primary between Linda Gallegos and Donna Tillman, with Republican Rebecca Torres also filing. Three magistrate judge divisions each drew a single candidate: Ann Maxwell-Chavez in Division 1, F. Kenneth Eichwald in Division 2, and Delilah Montano-Baca in Division 3.

Under state law, county candidates filed their declarations with the Sandoval County Clerk between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 10, paying a $50 filing fee required for any county office primary. Statewide and congressional candidates had filed separately with the New Mexico Secretary of State on February 3.

Early voting for the primary runs May 16 through May 30, with primary day on June 2 and the general election on November 3. Candidate information and filing guidance are available through the New Mexico Secretary of State at sos.nm.gov and through the Sandoval County Bureau of Elections website.