EL PASO, Tx., December 9, 2025: Yesterday was the last day to file to run for office in the upcoming 2026 elections. In El Paso, historically, most of the elections are decided in the Democratic primary, which is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
Although last year’s elections suggested a surge from the El Paso Republicans led by Irene Armendariz-Jackson closing the gap against Veronica Escobar to 35.3% from 63.6%, the Republicans continue to face an uphill struggle to win elections in El Paso. Escobar faces Arturo Andujo in the Democratic primary and a Republican candidate in November. There are six Republicans vying for the Republican nomination. The winner will challenge Escobar.
Tony Gonzalez’s, whose staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles committed suicide earlier this year by immolation, faces three challengers in the Republican primary, and will face one Democrat out of five in the Democratic primary, in November.
Only Joe Moody faces a challenger in the Texas House of Representatives for his district 78 seat in the Democratic primary. Not much information is available for Alexander Pacheco-Luquis but his Act Blue campaign contribution account says that he “bringing to the table,” a “voice for Generation Z.”
Two county commissioners, Sergio Coronado and David Stout, face challengers in the primary. Stout faces Miguel Teran, the son of former County Commissioner Miguel Teran. Annette Griego has filed to run against Coronado.
The Surprises
Brian Kennedy, who had filed a campaign treasurer designation earlier this year and who had been rumored to be considering running against Ricardo Samaniego, did not file yesterday for any office.
Instead of Samaniego facing Kennedy, he faces two women Republicans in November: Guadalupe Giner and Minerva Torres Shelton. Samaniego has had a contentious time in office since being elected, including missing a county commissioners meeting because of an altercation involving his girlfriend that required law enforcement intervention.
One interesting candidate has surfaced in the crowded Justice of the Peace No. 5 seat, Dora Oaxaca. Lucilla “Lucy” Najera is fending off four challengers, including Oaxaca who was implicated in her husband’s El Paso City Council censure last year. Oaxaca was named in the report released after then-City Council Representative Henry Rivera was issued a letter of reprimand for “allowing a non-city employee to supervise and direct the day-to-day duties of a city employee,” by the city council. Oaxaca was alleged to have accessed confidential city computer files in a case that involved an alleged suicide attempt by a city employee who worked in Rivera’s office.
Use this link to see a full list of candidates running for office in 2026.
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