On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the New Mexico primary election took place. This was the first semi-open primary in New Mexico history where independent voters could choose either the Democratic or Republican primary to vote in without having to register with that party.
Below are the Bernalillo County primary election results for the offices of Bernalillo County Sherriff, Bernalillo County Assessor, Bernalillo County Commission, District 5 and Probate Judge.
BERNALILLO COUNTY SHERRIFF JOHN ALLEN ELECTED TO SECOND FOUR YEAR TERM
There were only two candidates running in the Democratic primary for Bernalillo County Sherriff and no Republican ran for the office. Therefor the top vote getter in the Democratic Primary was elected Sherriff and will be sworn in on January 1, 2027. The two Democratic candidates were Incumbent Sheriff John Allen and former Quay County Sheriff Philip Snedeker, whom Allen defeated four years ago in a previous race. Sherriff Allen prevailed over former Quay County Snedeker and won his election to a second four year term. The vote was as follows:
- John Allen: 70.22% (48,507 votes)
- Phil Snedeker: 29.78% (20,576 votes)
Sherriff Allen declared victory and said this:
“Thank you to the voters for choosing me again. … We’re going to continue to fight crime. BCSO is proactive, and we’ll be even more proactive as we move forward in my second term.”
In 2023, Sherriff Allen previously defeated Snedeker and five other challengers in the Democratic primary, winning 41% of the vote before becoming the first Black sheriff of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Allen will continue overseeing a department of approximately 300 deputies in New Mexico’s largest sheriff’s office. Allen said he hopes to keep the agency staffed at 96% or higher.
During his campaign, Allen emphasized expanding the use of technology to improve response times and data collection. He said the goal is to provide deputies with more tools to address higher-priority calls, making response times his top priority. Allen also said he is working to expand behavioral health and addiction services to better serve both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county.
Sherriff Allen said he also plans to become more involved in addressing homelessness while maintaining a balance between compassion and accountability. He said homelessness has expanded into unincorporated areas of the county.
As Allen begins another four-year term leading BCSO, he said his overarching goal is to make the department even more proactive, both internally and in its efforts to combat crime throughout Bernalillo County. One way Allen hopes to increase proactive policing is by assigning more deputies to crime hotspots. He identified areas on Albuquerque’s West Side near Gibson Boulevard and 98th Street, as well as the International District, as locations where crime occurs more frequently.
The links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:
https://www.abqjournal.com/news/bernalillo-county-sheriff-john-allen-wins-democratic-primary/3050132
https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-statewide-office-election-results-primary-2026/71284570
https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-primary-election-results-june-2026/71272976
BERNALILLO COUNTY ASSESSOR
There were only two candidates running in the Democratic primary for County Assessor and no Republican ran for the office. The winner of the Democratic Primary will be sworn in as County Assessor. Democrat Incumbent Damion Lara and Deputy County Treasurer and former two term County Clerk Linda Stover were the two Democrats. Following are the results of the primary election:
- Damian Lara: 47.88% (35,403)
- Linda Stover: 52.12% (35,543 votes)
Linda Stover will be sworn in as the new county Assessor on January 1, 2027 as Lara completes serving his term until then. Stover said this about being elected as the new County Assessor:
“I’m looking forward to the new beginnings in the county assessor’s office and being able to actually work for the public and for the residents in Bernalillo County. …. There’s a lot that needs to be looked at and things to be done.”
Incumbent Damon Lara is an attorney and was elected assessor in 2022. He ran on his work helping lower the tax rate, called a mill rate, for the largest bracket of residential properties and making progress in economic development in Albuquerque. Lara said this about his loss:
“I know that a lot of people who weren’t used to paying their fair share were very upset, but I know that I did the right thing.”
BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 5
There are a total of five elected Bernalillo County Commissioners who serve staggered terms. They are elected to four year terms with only two consecutive terms allowed. In 2026, the County Commissioners for District 1 and District 5 were on the ballot.
Democrat County Commissioner Barb Baca ran unopposed and therefor she was elected to a second four year term and will be sworn in on January 1, 2027.
There were two Democrats and two Republicans running in the primary for Bernalillo County Commission District 5. The top Democrat and top Republican vote getters will face off each other in the November 4 general election.
Incumbent Bernalillo County Commissioner Eric Olivas secured a solid lead over Byron Powdrell in the Democratic primary for the District 5 County Commission seat. Olivas secured 55.54% (8,453 votes) to Powdrell’s 44.46% (6,791votes).
During the primary, Olivas said he would expand the sheriff’s office’s metro team to increase public safety, update behavioral health services and address infrastructure issues in the East Mountains. Olivas said this about his win:
“My team has the unofficial results from around the city, so we’re thrilled. I’m very grateful to the voters for allowing me the opportunity to keep serving,” he said, adding that he looked forward to a “spirited, competitive, race” come November.
During the primary, Powdrell said he would seek to bolster public safety, particularly in Southeast Albuquerque, and tackle mental health issues, specifically for those isolated in the East Mountains. Powdrell did not concede on Tuesday night but acknowledge the uphill battle before him as votes were being counted. Powdrell said this:
“We didn’t have a large team and we did the best we could. I feel that my team did an awesome job.”
Thomas Riley won the Republican primary for District 5 against Wayne Yevoli. Riley secured 70.57% (5,639 votes) to Yevoli’s29.43% (2,352).
Incumbent Democrat Bernalillo County Commissioner Eric Olivas will now face off with Republican Thomas Riley in the general election.
Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:
https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-statewide-office-election-results-primary-2026/71284570
https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-primary-election-results-june-2026/71272976
BERNALILLO COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE
There was one Probate Judge position on the June 2 primary ballot, with four Democrats running and no Republicans running. The top vote getter will be declared the victor and will be sworn into office January 1, 2027:
- Democrat Veronica Hernandez: 40.74% (26,979 votes) (WINNER)
- Democrat Carmela Starace: 31.44% (20,815 votes)
- Democrat Robert Padilla: 17.05% (11,287)
- Democrat Joeseph Gandert: 10.77% (7,134)
CONCLUSION
Congratulations and best wishes to Bernalillo County Sherriff John Allen for being elected to a second term as Sheriff, to County Assessor elect Linda Stover, and to Probate Judge elect Veronica Hernandez with all three to be sworn in on January 1, 2026.
Best wishes to Incumbent Democrat Bernalillo County Commissioner Eric Olivas and Republican Thomas Riley as they campaign against each other for Bernalillo County Commission District 5.