Alamosa County clerk race draws the spotlight going into November
By Owen Woods | owen@alamosacitizen.com
THE role of county clerk and recorder has never been more visible in American elections, and it’s that spotlight that Nicole Jaramillo and Mari Felix will find themselves in over the next five months as they compete for the Alamosa County clerk and recorder position.
Jaramillo is the Democratic incumbent who has found the challenges of being Alamosa County Clerk and Recorder immense. She is a 24-year veteran of the county clerk’s office and assumed the role of county clerk in 2019 following the retirement of longtime clerk Melanie Woodward.
Felix used to work in the county clerk office and is the Republican challenger to Jaramillo following Tuesday’s primary election.
In the state race, incumbent Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, will face Pam Anderson in the November general election. Anderson defeated Mike O’Donnell and recently indicted Tina Peters in the Republican primary. Anderson is a former Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder.
In other local contested primary races:
Alamosa County
Arlan Van Ry defeated Tom Maestas in the Republican primary for Alamosa County Commissioner District 2. With no Democrat in the race, Van Ry in all likelihood will replace Commissioner Mike Yohn unless an unaffiliated candidate emerges to challenge Van Ry in the November general election.
It is Van Ry’s second try at winning the county commissioner seat. He was defeated by Yohn in 2018.
Costilla County
Democrat Lorraine A. Quintana won her primary race over Fernando A. Martinez and Jake Mondragon in the District 2 seat for County Commissioner. There is no Republican on the ballot for November.
Michael Ray Vigil secured the Democratic nomination for county treasurer after defeating Benita Martinez and Rebecca Romero in the primary. There is no Republican on the ballot.
Rio Grande County
Tyler Ratzlaff won the Republican nomination for District 2 County Commissioner in Rio Grande County over John Noffsker. With no Democrat in the race, he would win the general election unchallenged.
Colorado State Patrol Sergeant Major Anne Robinson will also appear on November’s ballot for Sheriff, unopposed.
There are three other local contested races that will be on the November general election ballot:
In Saguache County Liza Marron, Democrat, will face Jeff Phillips, Republican, in the District 3 county commissioner race.
Conejos and Mineral counties, meanwhile, will have contested sheriff’s races.
In Conejos County the race pits Garth Crowther, Republican and the incumbent, against Martin Maes, the Democratic nominee.
In Mineral County Fred Hosselkus, Democrat, will face Terry Wetherall, Republican, in the sheriff’s race.
