County Judge - Texas Ballot Compare

Minerva Torres Shelton

Republican

On ballot as: Minerva Torres Shelton
Current role: Retired FBI supervisory special agent
Background: Bachelor's in criminal justice, University of New Mexico
Master's in political science, American Military University
U.S. Army veteran
Military intelligence sergeant, from 1994 (per candidate)
Has served on nonprofit boards including the Boys and Girls Club of El Paso (per candidate)
Experience: Ran for El Paso County sheriff (2024); lost
FBI, 21 years; retired as a supervisory special agent
Patrol officer, El Paso Police Department (five years, from 1997)
Republican primary (March 3, 2026): won, 62%
Top priorities: "conduct a line-by-line audit of the budget to expose waste"
"limit Certificates of Obligation to true emergencies"
"create citizen advisory boards to oversee spending"
Would "propose reducing the County Judge's salary"
"Evaluate and improve disaster response"
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "I will conduct a line-by-line audit of the budget to expose waste, create citizen advisory boards to oversee spending, limit Certificates of Obligation to true emergencies"
Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire: "We can pursue economic growth while protecting taxpayers and ensuring decisions serve the long-term interests of our entire county."
Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
Public safety: In a KVIA questionnaire: "Public safety, reliable infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and essential services must never be afterthoughts."
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: minervaforelpaso.com

Ricardo Samaniego

Democratic Incumbent

On ballot as: Ricardo Samaniego
Current role: El Paso County Judge
Background: Thomas Jefferson High School graduate
Bachelor's in sociology and master's degrees, UTEP, New Mexico State University and the University of Notre Dame (per candidate)
Former college instructor and clinical therapist
Led industrial projects in the U.S. and Mexico (per campaign)
Born and raised in El Paso
Experience: Re-elected in 2022
Sworn in January 1, 2019
Presides over the Commissioners Court
Announced in November 2025 that he is seeking a third term, which he said would be his last
Top priorities: "I will aggressively fight against state and federal unfunded mandates that shift financial burdens onto our local budget and drive up your property taxes"
"creating high-quality jobs, supporting small businesses through efficient county practices"
Campaign site names "four pillars": "Healthcare, Aerospace, Manufacturing, and Agriculture"
Told KTSM: "I feel I can help El Paso go to the next level"
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire: "I will aggressively fight against state and federal unfunded mandates that shift financial burdens onto our local budget and drive up your property taxes."
Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire, says his administration will focus on "creating high-quality jobs, supporting small businesses through efficient county practices"
Flooding and drainage: In a KVIA questionnaire, cites "securing federal funds for vital flood infrastructure and rural broadband without overburdening property owners"
Public safety: In a KVIA questionnaire: "balancing the budget while maintaining vital public safety and emergency preparedness"
Claims and the record
2020 COVID-19 shutdown order: The Eighth Court of Appeals ruled Nov. 13, 2020 that the governor's order prevailed over his COVID-19 shutdown order and told the trial court to bar its enforcement; the county could still act where there was no conflict. He said he did not believe an appeal would be fruitful.
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: samaniegoforjudge.com