Crowded field expected in magistrate judge race

Filing day for New Mexico’s primary election is two weeks away, but candidates already are lining up for positions.

Most of those who have expressed interest in county and state seats are Republicans and at least two races are expected to have competition from within the party.

Clovis Magistrate Judge Shaun Burns has plans to run for the 9th Judicial District judge seat occupied by Ben Cross, who was appointed last year by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and hopes to keep the job.

At least three candidates have expressed interest in Burns’ Division 2 magistrate position, according to Curry County GOP Chairman Marcus Smith.

Smith said Republicans Eleisa Munoz, Donald Sawyer and Stephen Whittington all want the job and more candidates could follow.

Curry County Division 1 Magistrate Judge Janemarie Vander Dussen is expected to seek re-election, Smith said. He was not aware of any other likely candidates for that spot.

Roosevelt County Magistrate Judge Christopher Mitchell said he plans to seek re-election as well.

At the state level, Rep. Randal Crowder, R-Clovis, said last week he will not seek re-election. Retiring District Attorney Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis, said Saturday she plans to seek the position. Neither Reeb nor Crowder knew of any other likely candidates.

Local representatives Jack Chatfield and Martin Zamora plan to run again, Smith said. Smith said he expects Democratic opposition for Zamora, but he did not have additional information.

Independent Rep. Phelps Anderson of Roswell did not respond to a phone call and text asking about his future plans.

Among Democrats, Curry County Commissioner Tom Martin said he plans to seek the remaining two years on the District 2 seat after he was appointed to succeed Jim Ridling, who died in office. District 1 Commissioner Robert Sandoval said he plans to retire and has endorsed longtime Clovis City Commissioner Fidel Madrid to replace him.

Curry County Democratic Party Chairman Anthony Mahan said Monday he was not aware of any other potential Democrats who might run for local offices.

Republican Chet Spear is term-limited on the Curry County Commission. His daughter-in-law, Lisa Pellegrino-Spear, is expected to seek the position.

In Roosevelt County, Commissioners Tina Dixon and Paul Grider both said they plan to seek re-election.

Multiple other county positions are up for election in June, including sheriffs in Curry and Roosevelt counties with Wesley Waller and Malin Parker, respectively, term-limited.

Filing date for local and state offices is March 8. The primary election is June 7 with the general election Nov. 8.