Roosevelt County clerk 'cherished'

PORTALES - Roosevelt County lost more than a county clerk on Sunday. With Stephanie Hicks, county officials said, they lost a friend.

Stephanie Hicks McMath, who had been in the office since November 2018, was found dead at her home Sunday night, about two weeks after her 52nd birthday.

County Manager Amber Hamilton told The News that Hicks McMath was one of the best county clerks in the state, if not the best.

"She was so focused on her job, and always so willing to learn," Hamilton said. "She would go to a class, make sure she was involved in every meeting. Nothing slips through the cracks, and she brings her entire team with her."

A release from the county said Hicks McMath, who also spent time with the Curry County Clerk's Office, was a full-time public servant for 16 years and worked within elections for 31 years. The release also said other county clerk offices, including Curry and Bernalillo, have pledged any help Roosevelt County needs during the next few months.

"We know how overwhelming it can be when everything goes as planned," said Curry County Clerk Annie Hogland, who was the deputy clerk when Jo Lynn Queener died less than a month into her term in 2017. "But something like this is devastating. I'm confident their office is fully prepared and will carry on as smooth as ever. She had an exceptional staff."

Hogland considered herself fortunate to have Hicks McMath in the neighboring county, noting, "she was so knowledgeable in all areas of a clerk's office, and always willing to share that information."

Gene McMath, Hicks McMath's husband, said in the county release that his wife taught him how to cherish life.

"She cherished me," he said. "She was the same at her job as the county clerk. She cherished people. Voting ballots to her were precious, because they represented people. It did not matter to her if the name had a 'D' or an 'R' beside it because it represented a person. She cherished people. Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico and I lost a miracle. A person who cherished. She was my miracle."

Former Curry County Clerk Coni Jo Lyman said Hicks McMath was a wonderful person and a loyal employee. The office staff would spend eight hours a day together during normal situations and plenty more hours during election season. No matter what, Lyman said, she could count on Stephanie being at the office.

"She thrived on it," Lyman said. "We were more like a family. We went through everything together, the tough times and the good times. It's a huge gap in your life when you lose someone like that."

Deputy Clerk Nath Baca is statutorily tasked to fill the position until the Roosevelt County Commission appoints a clerk to fill the remainder of Hicks McMath's term that runs through 2020.

Alex Curtas, a spokeperson for the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office, shared applicable state law in response to an email from The News. According to 1-8-8 of New Mexico Statutes Annotated, "Vacancy on general election ballot; occurring after primary":

• Depending on the level of office, either the state or county political party can file a new nominee with the proper filing officer should a ballot vacancy occur for any reason following a primary but at least 70 days prior to the general election. Sunday was 72 days prior to the general election.

• In this instance, the Roosevelt County Republican Party would have until Sept. 1 - 63 days prior to the Nov. 3 general election - to put forth a qualified applicant for the general election ballot.

Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Central Christian Church in Portales.