Find out who El Paso Eastside Democrats are backing in Democratic primaries
The Eastside Democrats of El Paso, one of the most powerful local organizations in Democratic politics, is throwing its weight behind Robert "Bobby" Flores in the contentious El Paso County sheriff's race.
The Eastside Democrats announced its endorsements Tuesday, Feb. 6, following a candidates forum the night before that featured Democratic candidates in more than a dozen primary races. At the end of Monday's forum, Eastside Democrats cast ballots to decide who their organization would endorse.
Despite his opponent, El Paso County Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Ryan Urrutia, having the endorsement of current Sheriff Richard Wiles, Flores received the Eastside Democrats' endorsement in one of El Paso's most important primary races.
"It's truly humbling," Flores said of the endorsement. "I'm very honored, their endorsement means a lot to me.
"I've been very blessed to be endorsed by the Association of Realtors as well and the Mexican-American Democrats and the Tejano Democrats. For a guy who's never run for office before, it means a lot."
Flores retired in July 2023 after 33 years with the Sheriff's Office, where he was assistant chief in charge of the El Paso County Jail Annex, overseeing 1,800 inmates and a 300-person staff.
Before that, he was commander of the criminal investigation bureau overseeing the Major Crimes Unit. As a lieutenant, he worked with High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). He also served as a sergeant in the patrol and criminal investigations sections and was on the SWAT team for 17 years.
Aside from Flores and Urrutia, Raul Mendiola, Oscar Ugarte and Michael P. Gonzales are on the primary ballot in the sheriff's race. The winner of the primary will face Republican Minerva Torres Shelton in the Nov. 5 general election. She is unopposed in the GOP primary.
Voters in El Paso will go to the polls on Super Tuesday, March 5, to decide which candidates in contested races will advance to the General Election on Nov. 5.
More: Texas election 2024: Details about primary election in El Paso
The Eastside Democrats also endorsed the following candidates in other races:
Veronica Escobar for U.S. House District 16
Selina Saenz for 65th Judicial District Judge
Lyda Ness Garcia for 383rd Judicial District Judge
Linda Perez for County Criminal Court No. 1
Nancy Casas for District Attorney
Jeremiah M. Haggerty for Constable No. 2
Hector Bernal for Constable No. 3
Louie Aguilar for Constable No. 4
Javier Garcia for Constable No. 6
Christina Sanchez for County Attorney
Norma Chavez for Texas House District 77
Ruben Gonzalez for County Tax Collector
Jackie Arroyo Butler for Commissioners Court Precinct 1
Iliana Holguin for Commissioners Court Precinct 3
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Election 2024: Eastside Democrats endorsements for Super Tuesday
