The El Paso County Commissioners races in Precinct 2 and 4 saw major upsets in the Democratic primaries.
Both primary challengers, Miguel Teran and Annette Griego, beat incumbents David Stout and Sergio Coronado in primaries for their precincts on Tuesday, March 3.
Teran, 61, put together a quick campaign to challenge Stout, knocking on doors around the precinct. He was a mix of emotions following his success in the primaries.
“I am happy that things worked out and that we were able to get the message to El Paso County,” Teran said. “I want to thank all my volunteers and my family who stood behind me, and my father who believed in me.”
Teran is a project manager and son of a former county commissioner Miguel Arnulfo Teran. He had campaigned on keeping tax rates down and guaranteeing the proper use of taxpayer funds in development projects across Precinct 2 and the county.
Griego, 50, is new to politics, running her first campaign. She also celebrated the results of the first political upset in her political career.
“I am feeling very happy, very supported and very blessed,” Griego said. “I am eager to work and make changes.”
Griego, a nurse practitioner and business owner, had campaigned on providing transparency and looking to assist voters in understanding certificates of obligation for infrastructure projects to guarantee proper use of tax dollars. She also promised to look to lower or stabilize taxes.
The message from both primary challengers resonated with voters, who overwhelmingly cast their ballot for the challengers.
Teran and Griego scored strong wins over the incumbents in each race. Teran received 53.2% of the vote to Stout’s 46.8%, while Griego defeated Coronado with 57.5% of the vote to 42.5%
The primary for both precincts saw over 9,000 people turn out for early voting. There were 14,909 votes cast in the Precinct 2 primary and 17,092 votes cast in the Precinct 4 primary.
Precinct 2 is made up of Central El Paso and the Lower Valley, while Precinct 4 is made up of West and Northeast El Paso, Vinton, Westway, Canutillo and Anthony, Texas. They are responsible for road construction and maintenance of parks and infrastructure within their precincts.
The commissioner represents their precinct on the County Commissioners Court. They are one of four commissioners, who, along with the county judge, serve as the board that governs the county government. They are responsible for adopting a county budget and tax rate, approving county contracts and call for bond elections to fund construction and road projects.
A county commissioner serves a four-year term and are paid $133,466 a year.
Incumbents respond to results in commissioners races
Both Stout, 45, and Coronado, 66, ran on their records representing their precincts during the campaign.
They pointed to the number of projects and investments in economic development they promoted during their times on the commissioners’ court. But it appears that voters had grown increasingly worried about high taxes.
Stout is longest serving county commissioner, winning his seat in an upset in 2014. He expressed disappointment in his loss, but said he was proud of the work he did in Precinct 2 during his years on the commissioners court.
“I am disappointed,” Stout said. “I’m very honored to have been able to serve the last 11 years …. I really wish the county and my opponent the best.”
Stout explained that it will take time to analyze what happened with his campaigning, but he said he will continue to serve the community until his term is up.
Coronado, 66, said he understood that voters are concerned with taxes, but he reiterated that a lot of the high costs come from the need to pay for services that are required by state law. He celebrated the turnout, even though he was disappointed with the results.
“There was obviously a great turnout in early voting,” Coronado said. “A lot of non-traditional voters came out, which is good for the community … I’m just glad that throughout the community the Democrats have come out and voted strongly, not just in El Paso, but in the entire state. That indicates that people want change.”
Both Stout and Coronado will serve out their current terms on the the commissioners court.
Who is running in the race for Precinct 2 in November General Elections?
Teran will face off against Republican candidate Matt Sistrunck in the November mid-term election. Sistrunck did not face a primary challenger in the Republican primary for Precinct 2.
Who is running in the race for Precinct 4 in November General Elections?
Griego will face off against Republican candidate Leo Arcos in the fall mid-term election. Arcos did not face a primary challenger in the Republican primary for Precinct 4.
Race for County Judge looms in November
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego did not face a Democratic primary challenger on March 3.
Samaniego will face Republican candidate Minerva Torres Shelton in the mid-term elections in November. Torres Shelton won the primary against Guadalupe ‘Lupe’ Giner in Tuesday’s race by a vote of 61.85% to 38.15%.
Torres Shelton, 57, is an army veteran, former police officer and retired Supervisory Special Agent at the FBI. She previously ran for El Paso County sheriff in 2024, losing to Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, who won 59% of the vote.
There were 21,946 votes cast in the Republican primary.
Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@usatodayco.com; @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County Commissioners Court incumbents upset in primary election
Reporting by Jeff Abbott, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
