Ordoñez holds narrow Democratic sheriff lead; Garrison wins GOP primary

Vanessa Ordoñez held a narrow lead over James Frietze in the Democratic primary for Doña Ana County sheriff, while Todd Garrison won the Republican primary.

Ordoñez holds narrow Democratic sheriff lead; Garrison wins GOP primary
Eleven candidates competed in two crowded primaries for Doña Ana County sheriff on Tuesday, June 2. Vanessa Ordoñez held a narrow lead in the Democratic contest late Tuesday night, while Todd Garrison won the Republican nomination. (Illustration / Organ Mountain News)

Vanessa Ordoñez led James Frietze by 559 votes late Tuesday, while Todd Garrison won the Republican nomination for Doña Ana County sheriff.

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

DOÑA ANA COUNTY - Vanessa Ordoñez held a narrow lead over James A. Frietze late Tuesday night in the Democratic primary for Doña Ana County sheriff, while Todd J. Garrison won the Republican nomination.

With all 190 precincts reporting partial returns at 11:30 p.m., Ordoñez had 6,008 votes, or 37%, while Frietze had 5,449 votes, or 33%, according to unofficial election results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office. Ordoñez led Frietze by 559 votes.

In the Republican primary, Garrison had 4,175 votes, or 57%, while Jaime Quezada finished a distant second with 1,219 votes, or 17%.

Garrison is set to face the eventual Democratic nominee in the November general election.

The results remained unofficial late Tuesday night, and Organ Mountain News had not called the Democratic primary.

Democratic voters chose among Gabriela H. Lozano, Jon R. Day, Rafael Reyes Jr., James A. Frietze, Ricardo Segovia, Eugene Charles Alvarez and Vanessa Ordoñez.

Republican voters chose among Gabriel Lee Baisas, Todd J. Garrison, Byron N. Hollister and Jaime Marquez Quezada.

Ahead of the primary, candidates who responded to a Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative questionnaire addressed staffing, public trust, mental health response, rural policing, accountability and cooperation with federal agencies.

Who’s running for Doña Ana County Sheriff on the Democratic ballot in the June 2026 primary election?
Voters in Doña Ana County’s Democratic sheriff primary can compare candidates’ responses on public safety, mental health response, transparency and cooperation with federal agencies.
Who’s running for Doña Ana County Sheriff on the Republican ballot in the June 2026 primary election?
Republican candidates for Doña Ana County sheriff discuss recruitment, transparency, cooperation with federal agencies and public safety priorities ahead of the June 2026 primary election.

Updated unofficial vote counts are available on the Secretary of State's website. The results are unofficial until canvassed.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.

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