Ugarte unofficial winner in sheriff race
Nov 05, 2024
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - Democrat Oscar Ugarte emerged as the unofficial winner against Republican Minerva Torres Shelton in the El Paso County sheriff's race after the final unofficial voting results were released at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Ugarte led with 59.14 percent or 137,330 votes, and Torres Shelton followed behind with 40.86 percent or 94,901 votes.
With current El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles stepping down at the end of this year, the candidates are vying to be the new sheriff for the first time in 16 years.
Ugarte, currently an El Paso County constable, beat Robert “Bobby” Flores in a runoff for the Democratic Party nomination.
Retired FBI El Paso field supervisor Torres Shelton faced no opposition in the Republican Primary.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office oversees a budget of approximately $128 million and has over 1,000 employees, according to EPCSO.
EPCSO also oversees the Jail Annex in far East El Paso and the Downtown Detention Facility, and they patrol El Paso County including the unincorporated parts.
In the El Paso County commissioner Precinct 1 race, Democrat Jackie Arroyo Butler is the apparent winner with 54.72 percent or 32,393 votes, leaving Republican Claudia Rodriguez with 38.47 percent or 22,774 votes, and then Libertarian Ryan Woodcraft with 6.81 percent or 4,030 votes.
The County commissioner Precinct 1 seat is currently held by Carlos Leon. He is retiring after serving three terms.
Arroyo Butler, who currently serves as a senior policy advisor for Leon, secured the Democratic Party nomination in the primary.
Former City Rep. Rodriguez ran unopposed in the Republican primary, and Woodcraft, an Army veteran, ran unopposed in the Libertarian primary.