Candidates for June primary filing Tuesday

Tuesday, seven elected offices go up for grabs in Curry County.

Democrat and Republican candidates are required to file with the clerk’s office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The filings are to compete in the June 1 primary elections. Winners in June will be the choices presented on the November general election ballot.

“Tuesday is when we kind of turn all that on and begin the process,” Clerk Connie Jo Lyman said.

On the ballot:

• Tax assessor

• Commissioner seats held by Bobby Sandoval and Frank Blackburn

• Magistrate judge positions held by Richard Hollis and Duane Castleberry

• Sheriff, held by Matt Murray

• Probate judge, held by Kevin Duncan

Assessor Randy Williams is the only office holder in the county term-limited, having served eight years in the position.

The state representative for District 64, held by Republican Anna Crook, will also be decided by local voters.

Lyman said this will be the first election in which magistrate judges are elected by district, a change for voters.

“The whole town doesn’t get to vote on them,” she said.

“That’s going to be very different. This community is used to getting to vote on both of them.”

Lyman said there will be a drawing held to determine ballot position after filing is completed at 5 p.m.

The Primary election, “the culling process for the parties,” will narrow the field of candidates to one per party, per position, after which write-in and third-party candidates will join the race.

To vote in the primary, Lyman said residents must be registered voters and declared as either Democrats or Republicans by May 4.

In the state races, District Attorney Matt Chandler has announced his candidacy for Attorney General.

Democratic primary candidates with local ties include Santa Rosa’s Jose Campos for lieutenant governor.

Other Republican candidates with local ties include Public Lands Commissioner candidate Matthew Rush, a Roosevelt County native, lieutenant governor hopeful Brian Moore who previously served as a local representative; and Curry County’s Patrick Lyons, running for a seat with the Public Regulations Commission.

State level offices on Curry County ballots:

U.S Representative District 3

Governor

Lt. Governor

Secretary of State auditor

State treasurer

Attorney General

Commissioner of Public Lands

Three Court of Appeals Judges

Representatives, District 63 and 67

Public Regulation Commission seat

A full list of state candidates:

www.sos.state.nm.us/2010PrimaryCandidates.html

Election information:

www.sos.state.nm.us