Republican candidates outline their positions on staffing, public trust, immigration enforcement, mental health response and rural policing

Compiled by Jonny Coker, Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative

Editor’s Note: Candidates answered a list of questions emailed by the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative. Their responses have been edited for length and clarity. Some candidates in this Q&A reference House Bill 9, passed by the Legislature, that restricts local authorities from enforcing federal immigration law by entering into contracts to detain immigrants. It also restricts local authorities from allowing local law enforcement to be deputized to enforce federal immigration law. But H.B. 9 does not hinder cooperation among federal and local authorities in other law enforcement matters.

DOÑA ANA COUNTY - Residents are already going to the polls in early voting for the 2026 primary election in Doña Ana County, where Republican voters will decide their party’s nominee for sheriff.

Election day is Tuesday, June 2.

The winner of the Republican primary will advance to the general election later this year.

Below are responses from Republican candidates for Doña Ana County sheriff who replied to the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative’s questionnaire:

Todd Garrison

Age: 62
Place of residence: A small family farm in the Brazito/Mesquite area

Can you share a short bio of yourself?

I am a lifelong resident of Doña Ana County, extending six generations. I have been married to Kim Garrison for 43 years, and together we have six children and 20 grandchildren, and co-own Garrison Family Farms.

What is your experience in law enforcement?

I have 31 plus years of law enforcement experience in the Doña Ana County area. In 1985, at the age of 21, I became a New Mexico certified law enforcement officer working for the city of Las Cruces. I worked patrol, DWI unit, traffic investigation and was a founding member of the SRT (Special Response Team) … In September of 1999, I began working for the New Mexico State Police Motor Transportation Division. I became a sergeant overseeing Doña Ana, Sierra, Socorro, Otero and Lincoln Counties doing regular patrol, weights and measures and became CVSA- and Hazmat-certified. On February 5, 2005, I became the sheriff of Doña Ana County, when the current sheriff had to step down due to illness; I was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. I competed in this process with nine other applicants and after a three-day process, I was appointed sheriff. After completing the former sheriff’s term, I ran for the office of sheriff and was elected by the residents of Doña Ana County for two more terms, retiring in December of 2014.

Why are you running for Doña Ana County Sheriff?

After retiring as Sheriff in 2014, after 31 plus years of law enforcement, I began working in Doña Ana County. I was employed by Mesilla Valley Disposal driving a trash truck serving the residents of the county. I also worked for Industrial Weed Control and G-4S security. In 2022, I returned to a family-owned business, owned by my brother, B and G Alignment/Automotive, to assist him in the operations. I have always had a strong desire to return to the thing I was called to do, which is law enforcement. The current sheriff is now termed out, and I felt a desire to once again serve the residents of Doña Ana County as their elected sheriff. I have a passion to bring law enforcement and the residents of Doña Ana County into a good working relationship, upholding the law by professional law enforcement to serve and protect all involved.

How would you work with the Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners to best serve the residents of the county?

I believe it is very important to have a professional working relationship with all other elected officials, with the county manager and department heads, to best serve the residents of Doña Ana County. The sheriff is elected by the people of the county to oversee its law enforcement, and I believe this is one of the most important positions in the county, representing all the citizens of the county in law enforcement related issues and concerns. However, there must be a professional and transparent working relationship with all to best serve the county as a whole.

How would you approach the intersection of mental health crises and law enforcement response?

The mental health crisis in our country is a very important issue and is ever changing. As law enforcement, we respond to calls for service seeking compliance through citations, training and even arrest/incarceration. Our job is not only to enforce traffic safety, criminal codes and county ordinances but to work with the residents of the county to solve issues of concern regarding public safety. I believe by training our deputies in mental health issues and keeping up to date as things change, as law enforcement we can better serve the public. However, it does not fall on law enforcement alone; we must have a better working relationship with the communities we are called to protect and all elected officials, in order to bring in the best resources and best practices, when dealing with mental health issues. This is now, and always will be, a team effort if we are going to make things work for all involved.

How will you ensure the sheriff's department adequately serves residents in rural areas?

I believe that to best serve residents in our rural areas, we must work together. As you go through the county you can clearly see that the issues of concern differ in the various rural areas. … To best serve all the rural areas, it will be very important to build communication with each area as to their specific problems and come up with solutions that work. Without communication and collaboration, law enforcement may do more damage than good. As the sheriff of Doña Ana County, I will work to serve these communities by leading the deputies in the best possible service from the top down, and work with all communities to help solve the issues of concern.

How would you handle a situation where a deputy under your command was credibly accused of misconduct?

Professionally. The sheriff’s office has policies and procedures that are currently accredited by national standards as to how to best handle these types of situations, working with internal affairs and human resources. Proper investigation, transparency and communication with all involved are of the utmost importance during these types of situations. It is also important for all to understand, these procedures are in place to protect those involved –the public and the officers – and they do take time to complete, when done correctly. The sheriff’s office under my leadership, will be respectful of those involved, working to complete investigations as professionally as possible and to hold everyone to the highest standards.

What is your position on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE or Border Patrol?

It is very important for the public to understand several things. Local law enforcement does not enforce, nor do we have the authority to enforce, immigration issues. The sheriff’s office does not run the jail in Doña Ana County and has not done so for a very long time. Our job is to respond to calls for service and to enforce the laws/ordinances we are sworn to uphold. It is our responsibility to protect citizens’ rights, as per the law and the constitution. The New Mexico state legislators have passed H.B. 9, keeping state and local law enforcement from becoming involved in immigration issues. As your sheriff, I will work under the laws that have been passed in a professional way, to protect and serve all the residents of Doña Ana County to fight crime and uphold justice to include a professional working relationship with all agencies involved.

What is the biggest issue facing the sheriff's department today, and if elected, how would you address the issue?

I believe the biggest issue facing the sheriff’s office today is the issue of trust between law enforcement and the people we are sworn to protect. As the sheriff of Doña Ana County, I will work with all of Doña Ana County, its residents, law enforcement agencies, department heads, elected officials local, state and federal to build that trust. It is important for all to understand that without trust, we will be unable to properly serve as we must. I will do this by leading the sheriff’s office and the community, to serve professionally, through communication, transparency and respect. It will be my honor to once again serve the people of Doña Ana County, as your elected sheriff.

Jaime Quezada

Age: 54
Place of residence: Las Cruces

Can you share a short bio of yourself?

I am an Army veteran, retired law enforcement officer, former undersheriff for the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, and former patrol officer, detective, federal task force officer, and sergeant with the Las Cruces Police Department. I dedicated approximately 25 years to law enforcement service and leadership in our community. Throughout my career, I worked patrol operations, criminal investigations, federal task force operations, supervision, administration, and leadership roles focused on public safety, professionalism, and community trust. I was also appointed for several years by the governor of New Mexico to serve on the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board, where I participated in reviewing law enforcement academic standards, officer certification requirements, and disciplinary matters involving law enforcement professionals across the state. I currently continue serving the community through my involvement with several local organizations. I serve on the board for the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces, the board for Sendero Charter High School, and the advisory board for The Salvation Army. I was born and raised in Doña Ana County and understand both the strengths and challenges our community faces.

What is your experience in law enforcement?

I served approximately 25 years in law enforcement. My career included service with the Las Cruces Police Department and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, where I later served as undersheriff. During my career with the Las Cruces Police Department, I served as a patrol officer early in my career, later spent approximately 16 years working as a detective and federal task force officer, and then served as a sergeant for the remainder of my career. … I was also appointed by the governor of New Mexico to serve on the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board, where I helped review academic standards, certifications, and disciplinary matters related to law enforcement officers statewide. Throughout my career, I worked in multiple areas of law enforcement including patrol operations, investigations, supervision, administration, leadership, and community engagement. I also proudly served in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge.

Why are you running for Doña Ana County Sheriff?

I decided to run because I believe the Sheriff’s Office needs experienced leadership focused on unity, accountability, staffing, morale, professionalism, and public trust. Over the years, I have seen the challenges facing deputies, civilian employees, and the community itself. My continued involvement with organizations that serve youth, families, and vulnerable members of our community has also reinforced for me how important strong leadership, prevention, mentorship, and public trust truly are. I believe the department needs leadership that listens, supports employees, works collaboratively with other agencies and county leadership, and remains focused on serving the people of Doña Ana County rather than politics. My goal is to help rebuild morale, improve recruitment and retention, strengthen rural coverage, and restore confidence between the sheriff’s office and the community.

How would you work with the Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners to best serve the residents of the county?

“The sheriff’s office cannot operate successfully in isolation. I believe in maintaining professional, respectful, and transparent relationships with the Board of County Commissioners and county management. As sheriff, I would focus on communication, accountability, and collaboration. That includes honestly discussing staffing needs, equipment needs, public safety concerns, training, and long-term planning. I believe strong working relationships between county leadership and the sheriff’s office are essential to improving services for residents and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and effectively.

How would you approach the intersection of mental health crises and law enforcement response?

Law enforcement officers are increasingly responding to mental health crises, and we must recognize that not every situation should be handled strictly through enforcement. I support continued crisis intervention training, stronger partnerships with behavioral health professionals, and increased collaboration with local service providers. The goal should always be de-escalation whenever safely possible, while still protecting the public and the individual in crisis. We need balanced responses that prioritize safety, compassion, accountability, and access to resources.

How will you ensure the sheriff's department adequately serves residents in rural areas?

Rural residents deserve the same level of protection and professionalism as anyone else in the county. One of my priorities is improving staffing and deployment strategies to ensure deputies are available throughout the county, especially in underserved rural communities. I also believe communication with rural residents is critical. I want the sheriff’s office to maintain visible community engagement, improve response capabilities, and build stronger partnerships with local residents who often feel overlooked. Rural policing requires proactive leadership, strategic staffing, and deputies who understand the unique challenges those communities face.

How would you handle a situation where a deputy under your command was credibly accused of misconduct?

Accountability applies to everyone, regardless of rank or position. If a deputy were credibly accused of misconduct, I would ensure the matter is handled professionally, fairly, thoroughly, and transparently within the law and department policy. The public deserves honesty and accountability, while employees deserve due process and fairness. I believe strong leadership means addressing problems directly, maintaining integrity within the department, and ensuring trust is never compromised.

What is your position on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE or Border Patrol?

The people of Doña Ana County deserve clarity on this issue. Under New Mexico law, including House Bill 9, local law enforcement agencies are limited regarding involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement. The sheriff’s office is not a federal immigration enforcement agency, and its primary responsibility is enforcing New Mexico state law, protecting public safety, and serving the residents of Doña Ana County. That said, communication between agencies still matters when dealing with serious criminal activity such as violent crime, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, or organized criminal operations. As sheriff, I would ensure the department operates professionally, constitutionally, and fully within New Mexico law while keeping our focus on public safety, accountability, and protecting the community we serve.

What is the biggest issue facing the sheriff's department today, and if elected, how would you address the issue?

One of the biggest issues facing the sheriff’s office today is staffing and morale. Recruitment and retention challenges impact deputy safety, response times, rural coverage, employee burnout, and overall effectiveness. If elected, I would prioritize rebuilding morale through leadership, communication, accountability, training, and support for employees. I also believe we must improve recruitment efforts, strengthen relationships within the department and with county leadership, and create a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to serve this community professionally. Strong agencies are built from strong leadership, teamwork, and trust.

Gabriel Baisas

Age: 45
Place of residence: Not answered

Can you share a short bio of yourself?

[Editor’s Note: Candidate referred to his website to answer this question.] Gabriel Baisas is a father, rancher, local employer, and combat veteran. He served as a United States Army Green Beret and completed multiple combat deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He led Special Forces teams, advised senior commanders, and served on presidential and vice-presidential security details. He earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge and a Valor Award for bravery under fire. He is a certified private investigator, criminal investigator, fraud investigator, and intelligence analyst.

What is your experience in law enforcement?

My experience is primarily on the federal level and under federal titles and authorities (funding and jurisdiction), but I've trained and advised and executed warrants and arrests with local and federal police agencies around the world. Most recently, as the SEA of the Special Operations Forces - Training and Experimentation Center. I wrote and ran training for Homeland Security Investigations, El Paso Police Department, Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR), Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), other local units and task forces. And I've spent the better part of the past two years – and continue – converting my military experience into civilian certifications, including NRA & USCCA firearms instructor, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, neurolinguistic programming, force science, fraud investigator, criminal investigator, criminal profiler, expert witness, etc.

Why are you running for Doña Ana County Sheriff?

I'm running for sheriff to provide a safer future here for my family. I'm running for sheriff because I have friends in Las Cruces – business owners – who tell me they can't let their daughter play in the yard at their own home, due to the illicit drug use and vagrancy in the area. I'm running for sheriff to provide justice for the hundreds of deceased human remains still unclaimed and uninvestigated in the southern part of our county. I'm running for sheriff to be a watchdog for our Constitutional rights and to ensure that we serve and protect each and every resident of the county equally and fairly.

How would you work with the Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners to best serve the residents of the county?

The sheriff's relationship with and to the Board of County Commissioners is critical to the function of public safety in this county. This is a board-to-department head relationship; that is to say that neither party works for the other. Rather, as elected officials, both parties have distinct roles to play in duty to the residents of the county. That being said, it's imperative that the relationship between the Board of Commissioners and the Sheriff be restored and prioritized.

How would you approach the intersection of mental health crises and law enforcement response?

I lost a brother and a best friend to suicide. I have an ex-wife who's struggled with mental health issues. The weight of mental illness and its tenuous relationship with the pursuit of wellness is keenly felt on, not only the individual suffering, but everyone around them. Las Cruces has a disproportionately high unhoused and mentally ill population. Now, it's essential that we provide officers the training to properly assess and when necessary, de-escalate to ensure we can pair individuals in need with the proper resources or resource providers. Is it an acute episode? Is it a chronic disability? Is it drug or situation-induced? It's important to remember that people are people, regardless of their circumstances. And it's equally important to provide mental health resources for the men and women who have volunteered to serve and protect and place themselves in harm's way to safeguard our community.

How will you ensure the sheriff's department adequately serves residents in rural areas?

I'm a rural resident. I've also been a victim of significant property theft. Some of that is my responsibility. In the same way that we encourage persons residing in urban areas to lock their doors and not leave anything of value in a vehicle, etc., we rural residents have to be equally vigilant. That being said, it is important that as a department, we map rural roads and know our areas of operation; ingress and egress, in order to patrol, prevent crime, recover property, and investigate as necessary. Additionally, there are grants and partnership programs that will also aid us in increasing law enforcement presence and community integration.

How would you handle a situation where a deputy under your command was credibly accused of misconduct?

I think it's important to remember that law enforcement officers are citizens first. We sometimes weave our identities into our occupations; it's easy to do. But that's only a small part of who we are. That being said, we enforce the law fairly and equally regardless of position or status. If an officer is accused of committing a crime, they'll be lawfully investigated and if found guilty, punished accordingly. But it's important to note, that as we will for anyone else, we'll protect their constitutional rights and remember that they're presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

What is your position on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE or Border Patrol?

All federal agencies have their purpose; HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, etc. I support them within the lawful scope of their mission. But it's important to emphasize that the sheriff's department is NOT a federal agency and operates under different titles and authorities and for a different mission set. This is part of the intentionally built-in checks and balances inherent to a constitutional Republic. My oath and priority is to the Doña Ana County residents and, to that end, I look forward to some of the advanced training and additional funding that those relationships garner, but will absolutely prioritize the residents' constitutional rights and fight to prevent government overreach.

What is the biggest issue facing the sheriff's department today, and if elected, how would you address the issue?

One of the first and most fundamental enhancements I'd like to install is accountability and transparency. Right, wrong, or indifferent, our county, writ large, doesn't trust the department. I'd hold regular town halls. I'd re-establish the volunteer sheriff's program and give the community access and buy-in. We have to elevate and promote community leaders. We have to operate as One Community, One Team, from our de-centralized position. In order to do that we have to rebuild trust;  that requires vulnerability on the part of the department, and some coordinated action on the part of the residents.

Byron Hollister

Age: 62
Place of residence: Las Cruces

Can you share a short bio of yourself?

Army Intelligence, trained sniper, 5th Group Special Forces, NMSU Baseball, graduate in criminal justice, Las Cruces Police Department Officer-Detective, U.S. Marshal Deputy-Supervisor, Luna County Judge and County Manager

What is your experience in law enforcement?

I have 24 years of law enforcement experience as an LCPD officer, detective, SRT sniper, and U.S. Marshal Deputy-Supervisor.

Why are you running for Doña Ana County Sheriff?

I'm running because I know how to solve the morale problem and retention problem that exists. The deputies need to be taken care of with retention bonuses through grants and they need better training. Also they need some personal training provided by my 24 years of experience.

How would you work with the Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners to best serve the residents of the county?

In the past, the Sheriff and the commissioners have not had a good relationship. I plan a monthly meeting with each of the commissioners so they know my plans and where I think the department should be heading. They hold the purse strings and it is extremely important that we have a good relationship.

How would you approach the intersection of mental health crises and law enforcement response?

We need to take full advantage of the triage center for mental health. We also need training on how to deal with the homeless and direct them to where they need to go, whether that be a mental health facility or a recovery program.

How will you ensure the sheriff's department adequately serves residents in rural areas?

Right now this department operates as a single entity. We need to revitalize our relationships with all the local departments in Doña Ana County to include the LCPD. We need to partner with the feds in the programs that they offer. This will open the doors to a community policing approach, which will make both the citizens and the deputies safer.

How would you handle a situation where a deputy under your command was credibly accused of misconduct?

Any deputy who is looking at facing charges must be turned over to internal affairs to start an investigation. There also must be an outside agency such as the state police to do a separate investigation. This will promote fairness and clarity. As the sheriff, I leave it to these entities to provide the district attorney with the proper information and at the same time keep the public informed with as much transparency as possible.

What is your position on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE or Border Patrol?

Right now, the governor has passed a law in which we are not to participate with ICE or Border Patrol. I will look into the Operation Stone Garden grant to see if that is still available. As the Sheriff, I will always follow the law.

What is the biggest issue facing the sheriff's department today, and if elected, how would you address the issue?

I think the biggest issue facing the sheriff's office is that we need to make sure that our children are protected in schools. An assessment of each school in Doña Ana County should be done to make sure there are no cracks in our walls. This goes hand-in-hand with juvenile crime. We need a full-time cyber unit to infiltrate social media and be proactive on juvenile crime.

Jonny Coker is a freelance journalist working with the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of newsrooms covering important topics. Reach SNMJC at SouthNMnews@gmail.com. Visit SouthNMnews.org or SurNMnoticias.org for more information.