EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Early voting is underway in Texas, and one of the local races drawing attention is the contest for El Paso County commissioner in Precinct 2, which represents parts of Central El Paso and the Lower Valley.

On the ballot are Democrat Mike Teran and Republican Matt Sistrunk. The winner will replace current County Commissioner David Stout, who was defeated in the primary by Teran.

Teran has served as a director for the El Paso County Water Improvement District for 21 years. Sistrunk ran unopposed in the primary and is a cryptocurrency promoter.

Key issues for voters in the district include property taxes, the cost of living and Marathon Refinery, which is located in the precinct.

RECOMMENDED: El Paso County reports record first-day early voting turnout for a midterm election

Sistrunk said one of the biggest differences he sees is his opposition to the Downtown deck plaza project.

The biggest thing that comes right to mind is my opposition to the deck plaza, which has been dubbed the debt plaza,” Sistrunk said. “What’s probably going to happen, because it’s lacking funding right now, is that it’s going to probably end up on the taxpayers as a burden on them, and they don’t want it. Right now, El Paso has 40% food insecurity. El Paso was paying too much for electricity.

Teran emphasized his ties to the community and said he wants to focus on governance and protecting the city’s interests.

“I love El Paso. It’s, I’ve lived in many other cities, L.A., Albuquerque, Pennsylvania, all over. And El Paso’s home,” Teran said. “And I will make sure that we are basically giving good governance, but make sure that we’re not missing opportunities with outside businesses coming in to try to pillage and take advantage of us. I wanna protect our city and wanna make sure that with my experience, I will make sure that no other towners or big business comes in and takes advantage, at least not on my watch.”

For a full guide on early voting locations and all the information you need, click here.

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