Republicans fill roster for Roosevelt primary

PORTALES — Roosevelt County’s 2018 primary election will have three contested races, with only Republicans signing up to run for countywide positions.

As of the 5 p.m. filing day deadline, the magistrate judge race had the most interest with four candidates: Christopher Mitchell, James Southard, Jimmy Parrish, and Michelle Bargas.

Mitchell, who was waiting for the ballot draw just after 5 p.m., said he was inspired to run so he could “expand my service to a finite group of people to a much larger group of people in the area.”

“The more people you deal with in Roosevelt County, the better things are,” Mitchell said.

Bargas, the current Roosevelt County probate judge, gained a familiarity with the magistrate from her mother.

“I just grew up knowing a lot about magistrate. I have a double major in criminal justice and psychology, and ended up being a juvenile probation and parole officer, following her steps, working with the state of New Mexico. Right now feels like the right time to run,” she said.

Current Magistrate Judge Linda Short and candidates Parrish and Southard could not immediately be reached for comment.

Current Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker has held his position for four years, and wants to continue doing something for which he has a passion.

“This is my job, this is my livelihood, this is what I enjoy doing. I really enjoy trying to keep the people of Roosevelt County safe and help them with their problems,” he said.

Parker’s opponent, Darrell Chenault, saw the position of sheriff as the natural next step after a career in law enforcement.

“I’ve been a state police officer for 10 years several years ago. I’ve also been a municipal judge here in Elida for a few years,” he said. “Two years ago, Elida was needing a police officer here just in our little town, and I did that for a year, and I kind of enjoyed it. I’ve just kind of decided I’d like to get my feet back into law enforcement.”

The position of District 4 county commissioner is contested by incumbent Gene Creighton and Tina Dixon of Elida.

Dixon said she decided to run to “represent my district.”

Creighton could not immediately be reached for comment.

Assessor George Beggs, District 3 commissioner Shane Lee and District 5 commissioner Paul Grider are all currently running unopposed.

For Beggs, who has held his position for four years, running again is an opportunity to continue serving Roosevelt County.

“We just work diligently to serve,” said Beggs.

With 11 years on the commission, Grider wants to continue taking the county “in the right direction.”

“We have a lot of projects and roads that we need to complete. I just want to continue trying to improve the best we can,” he said.

Lee was not immediately available for comment.

Filing date for write-in candidates is March 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the county clerk’s office. Primary elections will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 5.