Doña Ana County Sheriff's race heats up at candidate debate
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Election Day is two weeks away, and the seat for Doña Ana County Sheriff is heating up.
Democratic incumbent Kim Stewart and Republican challenger Byron Hollister went head-to-head Tuesday night in a candidate's forum, sharing what they'd like to do if elected.
"I am the first sheriff to ever send our support staff to training. So think of that, the very first," said Stewart.
"The number one priority in my book is our kids," said Hollister.
The two clashed on nearly every topic discussed, the first being moral.
Stewart said she’s improved training, policies, and procedures during her time as sheriff, while Hollister disagrees.
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"When I came in, the budget for training was about $10,000 a year. We’re up to about, close to $100,000 a year," said Stewart.
I’m in constant communication with the sheriff's union, and a lot of the current sheriff deputies said morale is at an all-time low," said Hollister. "If you ask them, they are upset mainly because they have no leadership.
When asked what each candidate would do to reduce the crime rate, Hollister took it to the border.
"Our number one priority should be to stop the fentanyl and the trafficking, and it’s coming through here. We're making every other state a border state," said Hollister.
Stewart responded by saying, "Ok, these broad generalized statements hold no water. There isn’t some magic corridor in our 30 miles of border where all of that is coming through. We have quite a porous border in Texas and New Mexico in general."
The two butted heads one last time in their final question.
What would be their top priority if elected?
"My top priority is school resource officers in every school, as many as we can and as soon as we can. The Gadsden Independent School District did not have school resource officers this year," said Hollister.
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Stewart responded by saying, "We already have presented a plan to Gadsden Independent School District, and it is awaiting county management approval. just so you know."
Stewart added:
"When you think about strategic planning, you really have to think about, how many deputies do we have? How many support staff do we have, and what can we do this year, going into the next year, or the next two years, three years."
The candidates are clearly at odds and offer two different choices for voters ahead of Election Day.
Early Voting locations will be available starting October 22 through November 5, and will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. at the following locations:
- Anthony City Hall – 820 Highway 478, Anthony, NM
- Delores C. Wright Education Center – 400 E. Lisa Dr., Chaparral, NM
- Hatch High School – 170 E. Herrera Rd., Hatch, NM
- Sunland Park Doña Ana Community College – 3365 McNutt Rd., Sunland Park, NM
- Sonoma Elementary School – 4201 Northrise Dr., Las Cruces, NM
- NMSU Corbett Center – 1600 International Mall, Las Cruces, NM
- Las Cruces City Hall – 700 N. Main, Las Cruces, NM
- Mesilla Town Hall – 2231 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla, NM
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