Democrat Vigil to face Republican Buckingham in November in Dona Ana County sheriff’s race

At last check, with 68 percent of the total votes cast counted, Buckingham had 2,136 votes versus his Republican opponent, Larry Roybal with 829.

Enrique “Kiki” Vigil won the Democratic primary for Dona Ana County sheriff with about 40 percent of the vote with early voting, absentee and election day numbers released.

“I want to restore leadership back to the sheriff’s department. That’s the first thing that needs to be brought up, professionalism,” Vigil said when asked what he’d do if elected. Vigil was a deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service for 25 years, he just retired this January.

On the Republican side, Craig Wayne Buckingham won with a commanding percent of the vote over his Republican challenger. He said that he has an edge over his Democratic opponent because he’s been working in the sheriff’s office for 17 years. “I believe it does definitely give me a distinct edge and a distinct knowledge and I definitely have leadership experience,” Buckingham said.

Previous reporting:

On the Democratic side, results so far:

Juan Stewart 2036 votes or 29 percent
Enrique Kiki Vigil 2795 votes or 39 percent
Ken Roberts 978 votes or 14 percent
Curtis Childress 1196 votes or 17 percent
Steven Foldy 98 votes or 2 percent

On the Republican side, results so far:

Larry Anthony Roybal 920 votes or 28 percent
Craig Wayne Buckingham 2340 votes or 72 percent

The winner of each primary will face each other in the November general election.

Sheriff Todd Garrison has reached his term limit.