Ugarte wins Democratic runoff for El Paso sheriff

Oscar Ugarte will win the Democrats' runoff for sheriff after taking a large lead over Robert “Bobby” Flores in Tuesday's early voting.

Ugarte received 58% of the initial votes, with Flores winning 42.%.

In the Precinct 1 constable race to replace Ugarte, Frank Almada defeated Andrea “Andi” Baca, winning 61 percent of the early vote. Almada will fill the seat in January because there is no Republican candidate.

Ugarte and Flores were forced into a runoff after neither candidate received enough votes in the crowded March primary to secure the party's nomination. The winner of the runoff will advance to the Nov. 5 general election to face Minerva Torres Shelton, who was unopposed in the Republican primary.

The winner of November's general election will take office in January and take over the department led by longtime Sheriff Richard Wiles, who will retire when his term ends in December. He held this position for 16 years.

Ugarte, 40, has approximately 21 years of law enforcement experience, including two years as a police officer and seven years as a police officer. Flores, 54, retired from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office as a chief deputy in 2023 to run for office.

Both touted their professional and leadership qualities during their campaigns, but voters opted for Ugarte as the next potential sheriff.

Financially, Flores raised nearly $200,000 for his campaign while Ugarte raised about $95,000.

The county sheriff will oversee a department with a budget of $122 million and staffed by approximately 580 detention officers, 270 deputies and 110 civilian employees. The Sheriff's Office is responsible for enforcing the laws in El Paso County, overseeing criminal investigations, drug detection programs, corrections and patrols on county roads.

The county sheriff currently earns $190,226 per year and serves a four-year term.