EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — As early voting in the 2026 primary election continues, candidates in the race for El Paso County Judge discuss what they say are their priorities and what they say qualifies them to lead the county.

The county judge is one of five voting members of the elected Commissioners Court, which sets a tax rate, adopts budgets, and makes policymaking decisions for county government.

The county judge can also declare local disasters and public emergencies.

Two Republican candidates, Guadalupe Giner and Minerva Torres Shelton, are seeking the party’s nomination for El Paso County judge in the March 3 primary in a bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Ricardo Samaniego.

Samaniego, who is seeking a third term in office, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

In an interview with KFOX14/CBS4, Samaniego pointed to his private-sector experience as preparation for the job.

“I’ve run large companies, manufacturing facilities, I’ve owned my own businesses,” Samaniego said.

He said the role requires “a lot of skills,” including working with the commissioners court, “dealing with the public,” and “dealing with the political situations.”

He also called the county commissioners “amazing commissioners.”

Giner said in an interview with KFOX14/CBS4 that she is running because she believes county leadership needs to change.

“I’m running because I believe we need a change right now in the leadership,” Giner said.

She criticized the current county judge, saying, “The current County Judge has been there eight years, and he hasn’t done anything to advance the county forward.”

Giner said she has been focusing on “transparency and a tax reduction.”

In an interview with KFOX14/CBS4, Torres Shelton cited her background in public service, including the military, the El Paso Police Department, and the FBI.

“I was in the military, served in the military, El Paso PD five years, FBI 21 years,” Torres Shelton said.

She said her motivation to take on the role stems from her father’s experience.

“That would inspire me to go into that is my father was accused of a crime he didn’t commit,” she said, adding that it taught her to speak up when something is wrong.

“Right now we are being overtaxed and we are underrepresented, so I’m taking a stand,” Torres Shelton said.

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