El Paso voters made it clear in the Democratic primary that they want new voices on the El Paso County Commissioners Court.
Two incumbents — Democrats David Stout and Sergio Coronado — lost their reelection bids in the primary, leaving four political newcomers vying for the two seats.
Democrat Miguel "Mike" Teran
faces Republican Matt Sistrunk for the Precinct 2 seat, while Democrat Annette Griego and Republican Leo Arcos vie for the Precinct 4 seat.Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting began Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Friday, Oct. 30.
As voters cast ballots, a troubling haze has settled over the races — a lack of accountability and transparency from all candidates.
The El Paso Times sent candidate questionnaires to all four
candidates to introduce themselves and their platforms. None responded.
Stout was known as a strong advocate for transparency and was open to participating in public discussions with residents in El Paso County.
Precinct 2, currently Stout's district, covers Central El Paso and the Lower Valley. Precinct 4, currently Coronado's district, covers West and Northeast El Paso, Vinton, Westway, Canutillo, and Anthony, Texas.
The El Paso County Commissioners Court adopts the county budget and tax rate, approves county contracts, and calls bond elections to fund construction and road projects. Commissioners serve a four-year term and are paid $133,466 annually.
Here is what you need to know as the commissioners court prepares to see new faces deciding key issues affecting El Paso County.
Teran, Sistrunk face off for County Commissioner Precinct 2 seat
Longtime El Paso politician Stout was ousted when Teran won the March Democratic primary with 53.2% of the vote, defeating the incumbent's 46.8%. Sistrunk ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Stout is the longest-serving county commissioner, winning his seat in 2014.
Teran owns and presides over Roman Construction Project Management. He is the son of former county commissioner Miguel Arnulfo Teran. He was appointed to the El Paso County Water Improvement District #1 Board of Directors in 2004.
"Miguel Teran is a proven project manager, experienced public servant, and lifelong advocate for smarter government," Teran's campaign website states. "Miguel is ready to bring real economic vitality, government accountability and measurable results to El Paso County and especially the residents of Precinct 2."
Sistrunk, originally from Akron, Ohio, moved to El Paso after he was stationed at Fort Bliss in 1984. He served as Air Defender in Germany for three years before returning to El Paso. He graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.
"With 15 years of service in the U.S. Army and years of experience in the financial services industry, I know how to solve problems we face from too many years of tax-and-spend habits benefiting many special interests, but not you," Sistrunk states on his campaign website. "Let's trim government to its core functions with a structural audit exposing how tax dollars are being used."
Griego, Arcos look to claim El Paso County Commissioner Precinct 4
The Precinct 4 seat is up for grabs after incumbent Coronado lost to Griego, 57.5% to 42.5%, in the March primary. Coronado was first elected in 2022.
Griego, who was born in Ciudad Juárez and raised in El Paso, is a nurse practitioner and business owner. She founded her own medical services company in 2008 and opened an Eastside family and pediatric clinic in 2016.
"Annette Griego believes public service should be guided by honesty, accountability, and respect for the taxpayer," her campaign website states. "As a health care professional and small-business owner, she has spent her career making hard decisions with limited resources.
"She understands that every dollar spent by our county government comes with tradeoffs, and she believes leaders owe the public clear, straightforward explanations for how tax dollars are used and why."
Arcos is a U.S. Army veteran and worked for the Texas Veterans Commission. He has a master's degree in business administration and a master's in leadership studies, his campaign website states.
"My campaign is built on four key priorities: lowering property taxes, supporting local businesses, enhancing resources for veterans, and ensuring accountability through accessibility," Arcos' campaign website states. "I’m also passionate about supporting our local businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I want to make sure they have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive."
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com and @AMartinezEPT on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 4 newcomers want El Paso commissioner seats but won't answer questions
